New Deputy Mayor Appointment for Mamdani
Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani has selected Dean Freihan, a seasoned 74-year-old former senior official from the de Blasio administration, to serve as his chief advisor at City Hall.
This marks the first significant staffing choice for the soon-to-be Mamdani administration, which is grappling with a looming budget deficit of nearly $5 billion while intending to allocate over $10 billion toward an ambitious socialist agenda.
Freihan also held the role of first deputy mayor under former Mayor Bill de Blasio and provided campaign guidance to Mamdani. Interestingly, at 74, he is more than twice the age of the 34-year-old socialist lawmaker.
Emma Wolf, a former chief advisor to de Blasio, remarked, “I think Mr. Dean is well positioned to take on any role within a mayoral team. His expertise in finance and policy will make him an invaluable public servant.”
Freihan began his public service career in the late 1970s as the budget chief for then-state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver before being named the city’s budget director in 2013, a role de Blasio praised him for, calling him a “true progressive” following over three decades of activism in Albany.
During his tenure, New York City’s budget expanded significantly, jumping from $72 billion to $85 billion. Some city council members argued that the administration lacked sufficient savings to handle potential cuts under President Trump.
Freihan’s re-entry into the political arena comes at a critical moment, as both city and state officials are concerned about upcoming federal funding cuts, which could hinder Mamdani’s plans for free bus services and universal childcare.
While Mamdani has support from Governor Cathy Hochul for the childcare initiative, they still need to address how to generate the required $6 billion to $8 billion in funding.
Additionally, Governor Hochul joined the Freihan New York State Financial Management Board in June 2024.
The mayor’s advisory team also includes El Bisgaard Church, who has been closely associated with Mamdani and played a pivotal role in his rise. Speculation had surrounded potential candidates for the first deputy mayor position, with figures like current Planning Commissioner Dan Galodnick and Anthony Shorris, another de Blasio deputy, being considered.
Outgoing City Auditor Brad Lander believed he had secured a prominent role after aligning himself with Mamdani during the Democratic primary, asserting he would have a significant influence at City Hall. However, sources indicated that members of the Democratic Socialists of America were skeptical of Lander, suggesting that his favorable remarks about government policies were insincere.
