Socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has abandoned his Assembly duties, missing a staggering 231 votes while campaigning for higher office—proving once again that the far left prioritizes personal ambition over taxpayer responsibilities.
Key Takeaways
- Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has missed 231 roll call votes since May 8, more than any other Assembly member, while campaigning for NYC mayor.
- Mamdani has been absent for over 50% of votes in the New York State Assembly during his mayoral campaign, despite remote voting options being available.
- Other Democratic lawmakers running for mayor have also missed votes, but significantly fewer than Mamdani.
- Mamdani’s team defends his record by claiming he continues to push legislation and engage with constituents despite his frequent absences.
- The socialist Democrat has positioned himself as “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare” while failing to fulfill his basic elected responsibilities.
Taxpayers Foot the Bill While Mamdani Campaigns
Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has missed an astonishing 231 roll call votes in the New York State Assembly while pursuing his mayoral ambitions. This represents more than 50% of all votes since the state budget passed on May 8, making him the Assembly member with the worst attendance record. Mamdani continues to collect his taxpayer-funded salary while effectively abandoning his legislative responsibilities to chase higher office.
The socialist candidate’s absence is particularly troubling given that the New York State Assembly has remote voting capabilities, a system implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite having this option available, Mamdani has still managed to miss more votes than any of his colleagues. Assembly rules allow for remote voting in specific situations such as disability or illness, but apparently campaigning for mayor doesn’t qualify as an emergency in Mamdani’s view.
Campaign Excuses Fall Flat
Mamdani’s campaign has attempted to downplay his abysmal attendance record with carefully crafted excuses. His spokesperson, Andrew Epstein, claimed, “Zohran 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 attendance plummeted immediately after the budget was passed, precisely when he ramped up his mayoral campaign.
“Some people take their jobs seriously, others don’t,” remarked one Democratic lawmaker who asked to remain anonymous, speaking to the New York Post.
State Senator Michael Gianaris, a fellow Queens Democrat, attempted to provide cover for Mamdani, stating, “I know Zohran has continued to work hard for his district even while running a very active citywide campaign.” This defense rings hollow when examining Mamdani’s actual voting record, which shows he’s been absent for more than half of all votes, leaving his constituents without representation on critical issues.
Socialist Hypocrisy on Display
While abandoning his Assembly duties, Mamdani has positioned himself as a progressive champion during the mayoral race. At a recent debate, he boldly proclaimed, “I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare, as a progressive Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in,” as reported by the New York Times. This statement reveals the depth of his hypocrisy—claiming to fight for his beliefs while failing to show up for the job voters elected him to do.
Other mayoral candidates have also missed Assembly votes, but none come close to Mamdani’s dereliction of duty. Assemblyman Ed Ra, who has maintained perfect attendance, provided perspective on the situation. The contrast between Mamdani’s socialist rhetoric about serving the people and his actual record of service couldn’t be more stark.
A Pattern of Left-Wing Priorities
Mamdani’s behavior follows a familiar pattern among far-left politicians who prioritize ideological grandstanding over actual governance. While claiming to champion working-class interests, he’s simultaneously collecting a taxpayer-funded salary for a job he’s not performing. His mayoral campaign focuses heavily on progressive talking points while his actual record shows a disregard for the basic responsibilities of his current position.
The situation raises serious questions about what kind of mayor Mamdani would be if elected. If he can’t balance his current responsibilities with a campaign, how would he handle the vastly more complex demands of running America’s largest city? New York voters deserve representatives who show up for work, not socialist candidates who view their current positions merely as stepping stones to greater political power.
