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Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently utilized his city-provided residence to shoot a polished campaign video supporting a progressive candidate in a hotly contested New York congressional race. This move has stirred criticism, with some suggesting it might breach conflict of interest laws.
In the video, which surfaced on social media on Thursday, the mayor is seen socializing with Parkland shooting survivor and activist David Hogg at the official mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion.
Together, Mamdani and Hogg, who is affiliated with the advocacy group Leaders We Deserve, urged viewers to donate to Claire Valdez, a Democratic Socialists of America member running for the 7th House District seat in New York.
Phil Wong, a city councilman, announced plans to file a formal complaint with the city’s Conflict of Interest Board, as reported by The Post.
While one Democratic strategist described the situation as “unseemly,” they admitted uncertainty about whether it actually violated any legal standards.
“[If] Eric Adams had done it; they would have a f–king aneurysm,” the source griped.
One staffer of the former mayor’s fumed that the video was “typical DSA bulls–t.”
“Rules for thee but not for me,” said ex-Adams staffer Menashe Shapiro, charging of Mamdani: “He’s turning the entirety of city government into a DSA propaganda tool.”
Last year, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) was dinged by the COIB for using City Council letterhead when fundraising for then-GOP nominee for mayor, Curtis Sliwa.
“The press release contained the seal of the City Council, a City resource that cannot be used for political endorsements,” the board wrote.
Ariola paid $2,000 to settle the foul.
“I got dinged for a violation for using a Council Seal in a statement regarding a candidate, but this guy is out here using Gracie Mansion for a campaign shoot and nobody seems to care,” Ariola fumed.
“It seems the old saying, ‘Rules for thee and not for me’ is still holding true. Where is COIB on this?”
Calls to City Hall and Valdez’s campaign were not immediately returned.