Missouri Republican Rep. Mark Alford has expressed deep skepticism regarding New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s progressive policy agenda, warning that his plans for city-run grocery stores and free public transit would likely fail in New York, citing past failures in Kansas City. The GOP lawmaker highlighted the struggles of Kansas City’s city-run grocery store, KC Sun Fresh, which began as an initiative to combat food deserts but ended up costing millions in taxpayer funds and saw increased crime rates. Alford, who previously covered the store’s opening as a local news anchor in 2018, emphasized that the city’s attempt to subsidize the store backfired, leading to financial losses and public safety concerns.
The city’s zero-fare bus system, which was introduced in 2019, has also faced severe financial strain, prompting city officials to temporarily reinstate standard fares in October 2024. Reports from the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) indicate that the initiative resulted in approximately $8 to $10 million in fare revenue losses, with the CARES Act providing temporary relief. Alford argued that such policies, which he says have already failed in Kansas City, would not work in New York, calling them a dangerous approach to urban governance. He further criticized the Democratic Party’s leadership, suggesting that the party has found its leader in Mamdani, who he insists is a failure.
Mamdani has defended his agenda, citing a case in St. Paul, Kansas, where a city-run grocery store has been successful. However, some experts remain doubtful about the scalability of his proposals. On the ‘Plain English’ podcast with Derek Thompson, Mamdani acknowledged that the initiative would need to prove its viability at the local level before being scaled up. The Democratic socialist has faced scrutiny from New York’s bodega owners, who fear his plan could undermine small businesses, adding another layer of controversy to his campaign. As the debate over the feasibility of his policies continues, Mamdani’s approach remains a focal point in the broader discussion on urban governance and economic intervention in the United States.