NYC Biz Owners Raise Red Flag on Progressive Democrat Socialist Winning Mayor Race [WATCH]

Prominent figures in New York City’s business community are expressing growing alarm over the possibility that Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani could win Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary, following a late surge in polling that has placed the self-described socialist ahead of other contenders, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist representing Queens in the state Assembly since 2020, has gained momentum with a platform that includes free public bus service, city-operated grocery stores, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030.

A new Emerson College Polling/Pix11/The Hill poll released Monday showed Mamdani leading in eight rounds of ranked-choice voting.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

The shift has drawn private concern and public warnings from New York’s business leaders.

Several said Mamdani’s election could deal a serious blow to the city’s economy, while others expressed hesitation to speak out directly for fear of political retaliation or backlash from the progressive wing of the Democratic base.

“It would be disastrous for the city,” said John Borthwick, CEO of the tech firm Betaworks.

Borthwick recently met Mamdani at a Partnership for New York City meeting and described the candidate as inexperienced.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“He’s a very nice charming human who I think has absolutely no idea what it would take to run a city government,” Borthwick said.

“Given the challenges the city faces with the state budget and federal government, they will eat him for breakfast.”

Mamdani graduated from college in 2014 and worked for three years before being elected to the Assembly in 2020.

His political rise has been propelled by support from Democratic Socialists of America and other left-wing organizations.

Among those expressing concern about Mamdani’s economic proposals is grocery store magnate John Catsimatidis, who has warned he may shutter his Gristedes supermarket chain if Mamdani wins.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also weighed in on the race, responding to the poll with a post on X that read, “Just when you thought Palm Beach real estate couldn’t go any higher…”

Just when you thought Palm Beach real estate couldn’t go any higher… https://t.co/FAUcV2OrYD

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 23, 2025

Frank Garcia, national chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a New York resident, said Mamdani’s candidacy was reminiscent of former Mayor Bill de Blasio. “He’s like Bill de Blasio. He’s anti-business,” Garcia said.

A New York business leader, who requested anonymity when speaking to The Post, said Mamdani’s unpredictability poses a risk to the economic environment.

“Uncertainty is never good for businesses, it’s never good for the market,” he said.

“It’s almost like Trump in reverse,” he added, referencing concerns over potential volatility.

One of Mamdani’s key campaign promises is raising the city’s minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030.

“In the world’s richest city, making the minimum wage shouldn’t mean living in poverty,” his campaign platform states.

But that proposal has drawn pushback from small business advocates. Tom Grech, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said local merchants — the majority of whom employ 10 or fewer workers — would not be able to afford it.

“A $30 minimum wage is unsustainable,” Grech said.

“The average merchant can’t afford a minimum wage increase now. That would kill the bottom line. They’d have to cut employees.”

Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the Partnership for New York City, noted that many business leaders are not publicly commenting on the race.

“They are not plugged into social media, so few were forewarned about the possible far-left direction of the mayoral race,” Wylde said.

She added that some businesses are hesitant to oppose Mamdani publicly in a Democratic primary, where endorsements from the business sector can have unintended political consequences.

Wylde also noted that many in the business community have longstanding relationships with Cuomo, referring to him as “the devil they know.”

Cuomo, who has sought financial backing but not public endorsements, remains a contender in the primary despite Mamdani’s recent polling gains.

The outcome of the Democratic primary will likely set the tone for New York City’s political and economic trajectory in the coming years.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs