NYC Mayoral Candidate Sparks Controversy With Race-Based Tax Proposal
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is under scrutiny for a policy proposal that explicitly calls for increasing property taxes in what he describes as “whiter neighborhoods” of the city. The Democrat and self-described democratic socialist released a housing plan that seeks to shift the tax burden away from lower-income communities in outer boroughs and onto higher-value homes in predominantly white areas.
The proposal has ignited debate over the use of racially charged language in fiscal policy, with critics accusing Mamdani of promoting a divisive and discriminatory agenda.
Campaign Document: Target ‘Whiter, Richer Neighborhoods’
A memo posted on Mamdani’s campaign website, titled “Supporting Homeowners and Ending Deed Theft,” calls for reworking New York City’s property tax system. It proposes reducing assessment rates for lower-income areas like Jamaica and Brownsville while raising taxes on expensive homes in affluent neighborhoods, described by the campaign as “richer and whiter.”
“The property tax system is unbalanced,” the document reads, “because assessment levels are artificially capped, so homeowners in expensive neighborhoods pay less than their fair share.” The campaign claims that current policy results in higher effective tax rates for working-class Black and Latino homeowners compared to wealthy, majority-white areas.
Critics Accuse Mamdani of Racial Targeting
Opponents of the plan have called it openly racist and accused Mamdani of using identity-based politics to advance a radical agenda. Conservative commentators pointed to the racial framing as evidence of race-based animus, and some called for voters to reject what they describe as an “anti-white” tax strategy.
Eric Daugherty, a conservative media figure, criticized the candidate on social media, referring to Mamdani as a “radical socialist” and highlighting the campaign’s explicit reference to race. Similar reactions from other outlets described the proposal as an attempt to punish specific demographics based on skin color and neighborhood composition.
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Born in Uganda and now a naturalized U.S. citizen, Mamdani currently serves in the New York State Assembly. His platform includes several sweeping initiatives beyond tax reform, such as:
- A 2% tax on all New Yorkers earning more than $1 million
- Free universal childcare for children ages six weeks to five years
- Government-run grocery stores to replace private food markets
On Tuesday, Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination for mayor by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, an upset that has propelled him into the national spotlight. His candidacy has since become a lightning rod for political debate over the direction of New York City’s leadership.
Election Outlook and Broader Concerns
With the mayoral election set for November 4, Mamdani faces off against incumbent Eric Adams, who is running as an independent. As of Thursday, Mamdani was listed as the odds-on favorite in betting markets, despite mounting concerns over his racially charged rhetoric and radical proposals.
Critics warn that his policies could deepen divisions in the city, while supporters argue that his reforms would address long-standing inequities in housing and taxation.
