Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani just dropped a bombshell by naming Julie Su, a polarizing figure from the Biden administration, to a freshly minted role as deputy mayor for economic justice, according to the New York Post.
On Friday, Mamdani rolled out Su’s appointment alongside Leila Bozorg as deputy mayor for housing and planning, signaling a sharp left turn for New York City’s future policies.
Let’s unpack Su’s baggage first, because it’s heavier than a rush-hour subway car. She served as acting secretary of labor under President Joe Biden but couldn’t muster enough votes for full Senate confirmation, with even moderate Democrats and Republicans balking at her progressive leanings.
During her time as California’s labor secretary, Su oversaw a disaster of epic proportions at the Employment Development Department. A jaw-dropping $30 billion was lost to unemployment fraud, according to the Los Angeles Times, while millions of Californians faced payment delays or wrongful denials, per a non-partisan report.
Now, Mamdani seems to think this track record qualifies Su to oversee worker protection policies in NYC, including agencies like the Taxi and Limousine Commission and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protections. One can’t help but wonder if “economic justice” will mean more red tape than relief for struggling New Yorkers.
Su’s defenders, like Sen. Bernie Sanders, paint her as a champion of the working class, but critics aren’t buying it. Her 2005 paper arguing that corporate definitions fuel economic injustice only fuels concerns that her agenda might prioritize ideology over practicality.
Speaking of Mamdani, he’s brushing off Su’s rocky history like it’s a minor inconvenience. “I’m aware of the deputy mayor’s record, and I’m very excited to have her,” he said on Friday, doubling down on his enthusiasm for her labor advocacy.
That optimism might be misplaced when you consider the opposition Su faced in Washington. Senators like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema rejected her nomination over her progressive stances, and business groups weren’t exactly sending her fan mail either.
Even Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, didn’t mince words about Su’s tenure. “Throughout her tenure at the Department of Labor, she prioritized partisan activism over American workers and their families,” Cassidy stated, slyly adding, “Julie Su is a perfect fit for the Mamdani administration.” Ouch—that’s a backhanded compliment if ever there was one.
Su’s new gig will involve enforcing policies like a recent City Council bill safeguarding Uber drivers from unfair terminations, which Mamdani touted as a blueprint for her work. But at what cost to the gig economy, which already struggles under heavy regulation?
Democratic operative Ken Frydman offered a colorful take, likening Su’s role to a union-friendly “Robin Hood” who might “take from the rich and give to the poor.” While witty, it raises a fair question: will this focus on wealth redistribution deepen the city’s budget woes?
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s other pick, Leila Bozorg, steps into the housing and planning deputy mayor role with her own set of credentials. She’s credited for work on the “City of Yes” housing initiative under Mayor Eric Adams, though some City Hall insiders grumble that Dan Garodnick, the true architect of that zoning overhaul, was snubbed for the position.
Not everyone’s sold on Bozorg’s qualifications either, with one insider noting she didn’t “drive the bus” on “City of Yes” despite being involved. Still, Mamdani’s team seems confident in her ability to tackle the city’s housing crisis.
Dean Fuleihan, named as Mamdani’s first deputy mayor, rounds out the trio of appointments, edging out Garodnick for that top spot. It’s clear this administration is setting a bold, progressive tone, but whether it resonates with everyday New Yorkers remains to be seen.
For now, Su’s appointment is the lightning rod, drawing both praise from labor advocates and sharp criticism from those wary of her past mismanagement. As the city braces for this new chapter, one thing is certain: Mamdani’s vision of “economic justice” will be a battleground, and taxpayers might just be caught in the crossfire.
