When asked about the possibility of former Vice President Kamala Harris running again, New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani (D) said he wasn’t really focused on the current presidential candidates, emphasizing that his attention is on 2026. He also confirmed he has no plans to run for president.
During a discussion with NBC’s Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, she posed the question: “Would you like to see former Vice President Kamala Harris run for president again?”
Mamdani replied, “Honestly, I’m not thinking about presidential candidates right now. My focus is on 2026.”
Welker responded, “You’re the only Democrat who hasn’t thought about that.”
Mamdani then stated, “I am not running for president, and I’m proud that I will never run.”
WATCH — Mamdani discusses New York City’s “long history of racism” and the need for increased racial equity:
Mamdani made these remarks shortly after proposing that his brand of democratic socialism could potentially reach beyond New York City.
In that interview, Mamdani mentioned,
“Before I became mayor, I served as a councilman in Astoria and Long Island City. Back then, we believed the only place for democratic socialism was in the northwestern part of Queens. Now, as mayor, the next issue is at the national level.”
He further expressed that democratic socialism is “a politics that can thrive anywhere. The only true majority in this country is the working class.”
Attention — Mamdani: Even with New York’s exodus, he “doesn’t hesitate” to raise taxes:
On Tax Day, Mamdani introduced what he called New York’s first pied-à-terre tax, an annual fee levied on luxury properties worth over $5 million owned by non-residents. He used the example of a $238 million penthouse owned by hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin. This tax targets affluent property owners who profit from New York City’s real estate without residing there full-time. Mamdani noted it could generate at least $500 million for funding initiatives like free childcare, cleaner streets, and safer neighborhoods.
Additionally, Mamdani proposed the opening of a municipal grocery store in East Harlem. He mentioned that the 9,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in 2029 and costing $30 million to build, would provide essential items at more affordable prices than presently available. He also allocated another $40 million to establish city-operated grocery stores in each of the four remaining boroughs.
Look — oh yeah, the most well-known aspect of communism is affordable and abundant food!:
