Mayor Zohran Mamdani continued to defend a political ally this week who’s facing controversy over his lifestyle and work history.
Mamdani, a socialist, stood by the co-chair of the city’s chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America Gustavo Gordillo.
Gordillo has come under fire after reports that he had not previously disclosed that he lives in a $1.5 million home in Brooklyn and is no longer a union electrician.
Mamdani, a socialist, said he believes the organization should decide for itself who serves as its leaders.
“The D in DSA stands for Democratic, and I leave it up to the organization in its own voting who it’s electing as its leaders,” Mamdani said.
The mayor also defended Gordillo’s commitment to making New York more affordable.
“I think what we’ve seen with Gustavo and what we’ve seen to any others who are in the fight for a fairer and more affordable New York is making this a city that one can belong to and I welcome anyone who is committed to that,” Mamdani said.
Political consultant Jonathan Greenspun said the controversy reflects growing tensions within the organization.
“One thing you’ve seen about the DSA particularly in New York is that to the extent that there is any dirty laundry to be aired, they do it privately,” Greenspun said.
According to Greenspun, the controversy highlights the tension between an organization that is younger and more affluent and the realities of a city with a diverse background.
“The administration has to realize that there was hundred years of politics that existed prior to them entering city hall that are not going away anytime soon,” Greenspun said. “You cannot again place front and center a movement, by its own statistics 60% white, in a city as diverse as New York City.”
The DSA did not respond to a request for comment.
Gordillo is serving his second term as co-chair of NYC-DSA. He and co-chair Grace Mausser were first elected in November 2024 and reelected in November 2025.
Leaders of the political organization serve one-year terms.
When asked about the controversy, Mamdani declined to weigh in further.
Neither Gordillo nor Mausser has announced whether they are running for reelection.