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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is calling on his supporters to help raise $4 million for his transition to City Hall. Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, emphasized that his transition will not rely on wealthy donors, a departure from previous administrations. Instead, he is appealing directly to his grassroots supporters.
In a video message, Mamdani explained that transition operations do not qualify for public matching funds, unlike campaign contributions. He stated, "Now unlike the campaign, transitions do not get public matching funds from the city. So that eight-to-one match: gone. It's up to us to raise the money." According to ABC7NY, the transition has already raised over $1 million in two weeks, with an average donation of $77.65 from nearly 13,000 donors.
Mamdani outlined the need for funds to vet 50,000 resumes, pay the transition team, and plan both the inauguration and policy implementation. He stressed the importance of being ready to deliver on January 1, rather than just starting to prepare. Fox News reports that Mamdani's approach is part of his broader commitment to grassroots support and transparency.
Mamdani recently won the mayoral election, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. As he prepares to take office, Mamdani continues to engage with his supporters, urging them to contribute to the transition fund to ensure a smooth start to his administration.
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