Socialist Democrat Zohran Mamdani has skipped over 50% of Assembly votes while pursuing his NYC mayoral ambitions, raising serious questions about his commitment to the taxpayers who fund his $130,000 salary.
Key Takeaways
- Zohran Mamdani has missed 231 roll call votes in the New York State Assembly, the highest number of absences among all Assembly members.
- Mamdani has not participated in Assembly proceedings since May 8, after the state budget was passed, coinciding with his mayoral campaign activities.
- While remote voting options exist, Mamdani’s extensive absences have sparked criticism from colleagues about his neglect of Assembly responsibilities.
- Other Democratic mayoral candidates have also missed votes, but none as frequently as Mamdani.
- Despite the absences, Mamdani’s campaign claims he maintains active legislative work and constituent engagement.
Taxpayer-Funded Absence
Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist Democrat, has abandoned his Assembly responsibilities at an alarming rate while pursuing his mayoral ambitions in New York City. Records show that Mamdani has missed a staggering 231 roll call votes, representing more than half of all Assembly votes this year. This absentee record stands as the worst among all 150 members of the Assembly, raising serious questions about whether New York taxpayers are getting their money’s worth from their $130,000-salaried representative.
Mamdani’s absence has been particularly noticeable since May 8, when the state budget was finally passed after weeks of delay. While important legislative matters continue to be decided in Albany, Mamdani has been noticeably absent, focusing instead on campaign events across the five boroughs in his bid to become mayor.
Remote Voting Controversy
Despite the availability of remote voting options implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mamdani’s participation in Assembly business remains questionable. Assembly rules allow remote voting for specific situations like disability or illness, but critics argue that campaigning for higher office hardly constitutes a legitimate reason for utilizing this accommodation. The extent to which Mamdani has employed remote voting remains unclear, further fueling concerns about his commitment to his current elected position.
“Some people take their jobs seriously, others don’t,” remarked one Democratic lawmaker who requested anonymity when discussing Mamdani’s record of absences. This sentiment reflects growing frustration among colleagues who continue to show up for work while Mamdani pursues his political ambitions.
Campaign Defenses
In response to criticism, Mamdani’s campaign has attempted to downplay concerns about his Assembly attendance record. Campaign spokesperson Andrew Epstein claimed, “Zohran became a top tier candidate for NYC mayor while maintaining a near perfect attendance record through the conclusion of the weeks-delayed New York State Budget.” New York Post. This statement conveniently ignores his complete absence from Assembly proceedings since early May.
State Sen. Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, offered a defense of his colleague, stating, “I know Zohran has continued to work hard for his district even while running a very active citywide campaign.” New York Post. However, these assurances stand in stark contrast to Mamdani’s record of missed votes and apparent prioritization of his mayoral ambitions over his current responsibilities.
Debate Performance and Radical Positions
While neglecting his Assembly duties, Mamdani has been active on the campaign trail, including participation in the recent Democratic mayoral debate. During the contentious event, Mamdani declared, “I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare, as a progressive Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in.”. This rhetoric, coupled with his controversial positions on issues including Israel, has made him a polarizing figure in the mayoral race.
Mamdani faced particular scrutiny during the debate over his stance on Israel as a Jewish homeland, a sensitive issue in New York City with its significant Jewish population. His progressive positions and socialist ideology raise significant concerns about how he would govern America’s largest city if elected, especially given his demonstrated inability to fulfill the responsibilities of his current, less demanding position.
Pattern of Neglect
Mamdani’s absence from the Assembly follows a troubling pattern among progressive politicians who seem more interested in climbing the political ladder than serving their constituents. While other mayoral candidates who hold elected office have also missed votes, none have absences approaching Mamdani’s level. The willingness to collect a taxpayer-funded salary while failing to perform the duties of the office exemplifies the disconnect between socialist rhetoric about public service and the actual commitment to serving the public.
As the June 24 Democratic primary approaches, voters would be wise to question whether a candidate who abandons his current responsibilities can be trusted with the far more demanding role of managing New York City. Mamdani’s record suggests that his priorities lie with his personal political ambitions rather than with fulfilling the obligations he has already been entrusted with by the voters of Queens.
