Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has intensified his campaign for the Democratic mayoral nomination by introducing a controversial policy proposal targeting his opponent, Zohran Mamdani. In a social media video, Cuomo accused Mamdani of abusing the rent-stabilized housing system, citing his $2,300 monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Queens, and announced the introduction of ‘Zohran’s law’ to prevent high-income individuals from renting such properties.
The law would cap tenant income at a level where rent constitutes at least 30% of their annual earnings, effectively barring wealthy individuals from accessing affordable housing. While Mamdani, a prominent democratic socialist, has defended his commitment to freezing rents for stabilized tenants as a means to combat the city’s affordability crisis, critics argue that his policy faces legal and feasibility challenges.
Mamdani’s campaign has accused incumbent Mayor Eric Adams of appointing Rent Guidelines Board members who push for rent increases, despite the city’s ongoing housing crisis. Mamdani’s supporters argue that his plan to freeze rents could be achieved by appointing board members who would not vote to raise rents, but critics say the legal viability of such a move remains uncertain. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration implemented rent freezes in the past, but the policy’s effectiveness and long-term impact remain a topic of debate.
Cuomo’s proposal has sparked a heated debate over the balance between protecting affordable housing and ensuring property rights for landlords. His campaign has framed the issue as a fight against abuse of the system, while Mamdani has criticized the measure as a politically motivated attack in response to his narrow loss in the Democratic primary. The tension between the two candidates highlights broader political divides over housing policy, with Cuomo positioning himself as a protector of property rights and Mamdani advocating for radical measures to address the city’s affordability crisis.
The feud between Cuomo and Mamdani reflects deeper tensions within New York’s political landscape, where the intersection of housing policy, economic inequality, and political strategy is central to the mayoral race. As the race heats up, both candidates’ platforms continue to shape the conversation around affordability, regulation, and the role of government in addressing urban challenges.