Zohran Mamdani Appoints Bill de Blasio Veteran as Chief Deputy
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is making significant appointments in preparation for his upcoming administration, set to officially begin on January 1. He has announced the selection of Dean Fuleihan as first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church as chief of staff.
Key Appointments in Mamdani’s Administration
Dean Fuleihan, a veteran from Bill de Blasio’s administration, is recognized for his extensive experience and expertise in city and state budgets. His role as first deputy mayor positions him as the second-in-command at City Hall. Elle Bisgaard-Church, who managed Mamdani’s primary campaign, is highly trusted by the mayor-elect.
Statements on Leadership Approach
During the announcement, Bisgaard-Church emphasized that the Mamdani administration would be “open-minded, strategically oriented, and pragmatically focused.” This signals a commitment to effective governance as the new mayor prepares to tackle pressing issues.
Mamdani’s Vision for New York City
- At 34, Mamdani will be the youngest mayor in over a century.
- He will also be the city’s first Asian and Muslim mayor.
Mamdani aims to address the cost of living crisis that is affecting many New Yorkers. He expressed a desire for his administration to take immediate and impactful actions within the first 100 days in office.
Political Context and Future Appointments
The announcement comes shortly after Mamdani’s election victory, where he also established a transition team with co-chairs boasting diverse government experience. Notably, City Comptroller Brad Lander, who had hoped for the first deputy role, is now considering a congressional run against incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman.
Additionally, Mamdani has indicated he may retain NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, contingent on her willingness to continue in her position. He has also signaled an openness to keeping other effective appointees from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
As developments unfold, the structure of Mamdani’s leadership team will continue to take shape. This information will be updated as the transition progresses.
