Lina Khan to co-chair NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team

In a significant development following Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayoral election, former FTC chair Lina Khan has been appointed as one of the four co-chairs of his transition team. Khan, known for her alignment with Mamdani's vision, previously extolled his efforts to engage small business owners in a recent New York Times op-ed. Her formal role on the transition team sends a strong signal to both Wall Street and the tech sector, which have expressed discontent with Mamdani's progressive agenda. The Democratic socialist has drawn attention for his outspoken criticisms of billionaires and his proposal for a 2% tax on incomes exceeding $1 million. "What we witnessed last night was New Yorkers electing a new mayor and firmly rejecting a political landscape dominated by corporate power and wealth," Khan remarked during a speech on Wednesday. Khan characterized Mamdani's electoral success as a decisive mandate for change, emphasizing a future where all workers and small businesses can not only survive but thrive. Despite opposition from high-profile figures including Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and investors Bill Ackman and Mike Bloomberg, who collectively invested millions to support former governor Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani's platform focuses on enhanced regulation of delivery services and protections for gig workers. Both Khan and Mamdani have faced criticism from powerful industries. Khan, a prominent critic of major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Google, took steps to prevent several significant tech mergers during her time in the Biden administration. Although some actions did not succeed, her reputation for challenging the status quo has made her a target for backlash in Silicon Valley. Described on Mamdani's transition website as "the nation’s leading antimonopoly champion," Khan will be joined by co-chairs Grace Bonilla, CEO of United Way of New York City; Maria Torres-Springer, former first deputy mayor; and Melanie Hartzog, CEO of the New York Foundling. Elana Leopold, an advisor to Mamdani’s campaign, will lead the team as they prepare to navigate the complexities of economic policy and personnel decisions. Douglas Farrar, a spokesperson for Khan, confirmed her focus on facilitating a smooth transition process.