Socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has skipped over 50% of his Assembly votes while campaigning, raising serious questions about his commitment to the taxpayers currently paying his salary.
Key Takeaways
- Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has missed a staggering 231 roll call votes while campaigning for NYC mayor, the most of any Assembly member
- Mamdani’s absences began after the state budget passed on May 8, suggesting he prioritized his mayoral campaign over legislative duties
- Despite remote voting capabilities being available, Mamdani has been largely absent from his paid position as an elected official
- Other mayoral candidates have also missed votes, but none at the alarming rate of Mamdani
- Mamdani’s campaign maintains he continues legislative work despite evidence of his unprecedented absence record
Record-Breaking Absenteeism
Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has set a troubling record in the New York State Assembly. While pursuing his mayoral ambitions in New York City, Mamdani has missed an astonishing 231 roll call votes since May 8, when the state budget was passed. This absentee rate exceeds 50% of all votes taken during this period, making him the most absent member of the entire Assembly, according to records reviewed by the New York Post. His absence raises fundamental questions about whether elected officials should be allowed to campaign for higher office while neglecting their current taxpayer-funded positions.
Remote Voting Capabilities Unused
What makes Mamdani’s absence particularly troubling is that the Assembly has remote voting capabilities, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This system would allow Mamdani to fulfill his basic legislative duties while campaigning. However, the extent to which he has utilized this accommodation remains unclear. Assembly rules technically restrict remote voting to specific situations like disability or illness, not campaign activities. This leaves constituents wondering whether Mamdani has abandoned his responsibilities while continuing to collect his taxpayer-funded salary and benefits.
“Some people take their jobs seriously, others don’t,” said one Democratic lawmaker, who asked to remain anonymous.
Campaign Defends Absent Assemblyman
Despite the damning attendance record, Mamdani’s campaign has aggressively defended his work ethic. His campaign spokesperson, Andrew Epstein, claimed Mamdani “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.” This statement conveniently ignores the fact that Mamdani’s absenteeism began immediately after the budget was passed, suggesting he abandoned his Assembly responsibilities once the major legislative work was completed, focusing entirely on his political ambitions.
State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) offered political cover for Mamdani, stating, “I know Zohran has continued to work hard for his district even while running a very active citywide campaign.”
Contrast with Other Candidates
While other lawmakers running for the Democratic mayoral nomination have also missed votes, none approach Mamdani’s excessive absenteeism. This stark contrast highlights the socialist candidate’s apparent disregard for his current elected position. Assemblyman Ed Ra, who maintains perfect attendance, provides a stark counterpoint to Mamdani’s record. The voters of Queens elected Mamdani to represent them in Albany, not to use his position as a stepping stone while collecting a paycheck for work he’s not performing.
“I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare, as a progressive Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in,” said Zohran Mamdani.
While Mamdani positions himself as fighting for progressive values, his record shows he’s not fighting for anything in Albany where he was elected to serve. His self-description as someone who “actually fights” for his beliefs rings hollow when he’s absent for over half of the votes where he could have made a difference for his constituents. This pattern of absenteeism raises serious concerns about how Mamdani might approach the far more demanding role of mayor, should New York voters elevate him to that position.
