Politics Unusual: Zohran Mamdani on housing, education, endorsements; ballot proposition 6
In this week’s episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY’s political reporter Morgan McKay interviews Democratic nominee for New York City’s mayoral race Zohran Mamdani. The two discuss the candidate’s plans to address affordability and education in the city, as well as Mayor Eric Adams’ endorsement of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Also, a roundtable discussion about ballot proposition 6.
NEW YORK – Democratic frontrunner for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani joined FOX 5 NY’s Morgan McKay on Politics Unusual.
***You can watch the full interview above. Each week on Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY political reporter Morgan McKay breaks down the week’s biggest local and national political headlines. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. Fridays on FOX 5 and FOX LOCAL New York, and watch full episodes on the FOX LOCAL app and our YouTube page.
Interview with Mamdani
What they’re saying:
Mamdani spoke about several of the policies he has planned for New Yorkers if elected as the city’s next mayor.
Mayor Adams’ endorsement of Andrew Cuomo
The Democratic nominee specifically responded to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ endorsement of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“It’s the art of the deal,” Mamdani said. “Eric Adams, just a few weeks ago, told us that Andrew Cuomo was a liar and a snake, and here he is endorsing him to be the next mayor of the city… I think it shows what we’ve been saying now for more than a year in this race, which is that Eric Adams’ record is Andrew Cuomo’s agenda.”
Mamdani added in a separate point that, “There’s very little [Cuomo] is consistent about beyond his pursuit for power.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Mamdani earlier today – before the endorsement was announced, Mamdani told McKay that he “looks forward to working with Congressman Jeffries in the weeks, months and years to come on delivering the affordability agenda.”
Affordability
Mamdani explained that one of the first things he would do to address the affordability crisis in New York City is put together his rent guidelines board – this board determines the rent increase, or lack thereof, for the over 2 million people that live in rent-stabilized housing in the city.
“This current mayor has taken those nine appointees… and he has used [the board] to increase the rent every single year that he has been the mayor,” Mamdani said, referring to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
He went on to say that the top affordability issue for New Yorkers is housing. “They feel it every single day.”
In a similar vein, the mayoral candidate said that another priority is that both the private and public sector need to build more housing. “The public sector has to build immediately affordable housing,” he specified.
Keeping on NYPD Commissioner Tisch
When McKay asked Mamdani if he had spoken to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch about his recent decision to keep her on if he wins, Mamdani replied that he has spoken to the Commissioner, but not since his announcement.
“When [Tisch] came into the NYPD, Mayor Adams had stacked the upper echelons of that department with corruption and incompetence,” Mamdani said. “She took on that broken status quo, and started to deliver accountability, root out corruption and reduce crime across five boroughs.”
McKay brought up that the two differ on some viewpoints regarding how to handle the NYPD’s presence in the city; she cites one example of Tisch being against bail reform, which Mamdani notably supports.
Cuomo talks Sliwa, Mamdani, bail reform on GDNY
Election Day is just four weeks away, and voters are getting ready to cast their ballots to pick the next mayor of New York City. With NYC Mayor Eric Adams no longer looking to get reelected, the race is heating up. Independent candidate, and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, joined Good Day New York on Tuesday.
“This is a decision that I’ve made to further the agenda I’ve run on, not to compromise that agenda.”
Free buses
Mamdani, who has said numerous times that he is interested in removing the fare for city buses, told McKay that other cities in the United States that offer free bus rides did not see an increase in homelessness on buses as a result.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: New York Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani steps off the M57 bus on his way to a press conference on October 08, 2025 in New York City. Mamdani was joined by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Comptroller Brad Lander, Transit W
“This actually increases ridership, it provides economic relief, and it actually provides public safety benefits,” he told McKay. “What you’ll hear from bus drivers is that a significant portion of the assaults that they face is due to the presence of the fare box.”
The other side:
Both Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo were asked to come onto Politics Unusual to discuss their campaign proposals.
Sliwa accepted the invitation and spoke about his plans for education, safety and affordability.
Curtis Sliwa vows to ditch beret, lays out education plans | Politics Unusual
FOX 5 NY’s Morgan McKay sits down with Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa who has bold promises, from $500 rebate checks for drivers to an income tax freeze for New Yorkers under 30. He defends a $10 billion education cut, pushes for more vocational training, and outlines plans to restore NYPD homeless outreach. Sliwa also addresses death threats against him, and swears that if elected mayor, he’ll never wear the red beret again.
Cuomo did not respond to FOX 5 NY’s invitation to appear on the show.
The backstory:
Mayor Adams formally endorsed Cuomo during a joint press conference on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Carver Houses in Harlem.
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