Zohran Mamdani

This was the central theme of Mamdani's campaign. His platform is built on the idea that New York is unlivable for the working class.

Key Promises:

• Universal Childcare: Provide free, high-quality childcare for every child in New York City. This is his largest and most expensive proposal. (Est. Cost: ~$15 Billion/year)
• Rent Freeze: Immediately freeze rents on all rent-stabilized apartments.
• City-Owned Grocery Stores: Open at least one city-run, non-profit grocery store in each borough to combat "food deserts" and price gouging.
• Affordable Housing: Build 200,000 new, deeply affordable housing units.

This is Mamdani's most controversial and evolved position. While he rose to fame as an assemblyman with the slogan "Defund the Police," his mayoral platform presented a more detailed, structural approach.

Policy Evolution: From "Defund" to "Re-allocate"

During the campaign, Mamdani clarified that his goal was not to simply abolish policing, but to "re-allocate" funding and responsibilities away from the NYPD to other agencies. His core promise is the creation of a new city department to handle issues he argues police are not equipped for.

Key Promises:

• Create Dept. of Community Safety (DCS): A new, civilian-led agency with a proposed $1.1B budget.
• Transfer Responsibilities to DCS: Move all mental health crisis response, homeless outreach, and non-violent 911 calls from the NYPD to this new department.
• Retain Commissioner Tisch: In a surprise move during the debates, Mamdani pledged to keep current Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, praising her focus on data-driven policing and rooting out corruption.

Mamdani's climate plan is heavily integrated with his transit and affordability goals, framing "fare-free transit" as both a climate and an economic justice issue.

Key Promises:

• Free Bus Service: Make all MTA buses within the five boroughs free to ride. (Est. Cost: ~$2 Billion/year)
• Build Public Renewables: Aggressively implement the state-level "Build Public Renewables Act" at the city level, powering city-owned buildings with 100% renewable energy.
• Expand Bike & Bus Lanes: Rapidly expand the network of protected bike lanes and dedicated bus lanes to prioritize public and micro-mobility over private cars.