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RandySF

(75,520 posts)
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:14 PM 7 hrs ago

Mamdani primary win showcases political power of tenants

Last week’s primary results weren’t just a big win for Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani in New York City and the slate of Democratic mayoral nominees who found success in upstate New York. Tenants and the organizers helping them to vote their interests also have reason to celebrate.

Tenant Bloc was launched in January with the express intent of educating tenant voters about candidates with policies that could help them, whether that’s a rent freeze on rent stabilized units in New York City or support for “good cause” eviction in Syracuse. Mamdani and Syracuse Democratic nominee Sharon Owens were supporters of both, and now find themselves likely mayors in 2026 after Tenant Bloc galvanized voters and drove turnout in both cities.

More than 20,000 New York City renters signed on to a petition demanding a rent freeze they distributed, and that same list was called repeatedly in the lead-up to election day. Tenant Bloc believes that this, in conjunction with a May rally with Mamdani and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander – the leading candidates in the race supporting a rent freeze – and a city-wide door knocking operation, helped contribute to Mamdani’s win over Cuomo.

“Starting with the rent freeze, starting with the issues, then introducing the candidates who are going to give you that,” Tenant Bloc Communications Director Ritti Singh told City & State, “and being able to have such a clear contrast with a candidate who's funded by real estate, who's not going to freeze your rents, which means he's going to raise your rents. That made it really easy to talk to tenant voters.”




https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/06/mamdani-primary-win-showcases-political-power-tenants/406418/?oref=csny-homepage-top-story

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