Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is under pressure to finalize key appointments for City Hall as his inauguration approaches.
According to the New York Post, the Queens assemblyman, aged 34, has yet to appoint individuals to crucial roles such as schools chancellor, health commissioner, and transportation chief.
In addition to these vacancies, the positions of deputy mayor for operations and senior roles in economic development and planning remain unfilled. Despite these gaps, Mamdani expressed confidence, stating, We are fully confident in the team that we are assembling and in the pace at which we are assembling it. However, the sluggish pace of appointments has raised concerns among observers.
The transition team, which has amassed over $3.5 million in donations, includes a leadership group and approximately 400 advisers across 17 committees. Yet, questions persist regarding the vetting process and the qualifications of potential appointees.
The recent resignation of Catherine Almonte Da Costa, Mamdani's appointments director, following the revelation of her antisemitic and anti-police remarks, has further complicated matters.
This incident has highlighted a broader issue within Mamdani's circle. Sources indicate that the democratic socialist and his left-leaning team may lack the necessary connections outside of politics, particularly in business and management, to effectively govern a city of 8 million. Political strategist Ken Frydman remarked, Mamdani has a shallow professional pool. How many socialists are qualified to run a government agency?
The focus now shifts to Mamdani's impending decision on who will lead the nation's largest public school system, which serves nearly one million students. This appointment is crucial, as it will set the tone for his administration's approach to education and governance.
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