NYC mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani stands by plan to increase taxes on wealthy, majority-white neighborhoods, citing fairness.

Mamdani Defends Targeted Tax Plan in Mayoral Bid

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, known for his democratic socialist platform, is doubling down on a proposal to increase property taxes on what he describes as "richer and whiter neighborhoods." Speaking on NBC’s "Meet the Press" Sunday, Mamdani emphasized that his controversial plan is motivated by fairness and not race, despite language in his agenda directly addressing majority-white, affluent areas.

Mamdani’s policy, titled "Stop the Squeeze on NYC Homeowners," proposes a substantial shift in the city’s property tax structure. Under his plan, homeowners in outer boroughs, who he argues are "overtaxed," would see relief, while those in wealthier neighborhoods would face higher rates. The policy asserts that residents in these affluent areas are currently "paying less than their fair share," calling for adjustments to assessment percentages and tax rates to redress the perceived imbalance.

"That is just a description of what we see right now," Mamdani explained. "It’s not driven by race. It’s more of an assessment of what neighborhoods are being under taxed and overtaxed." When pressed about the racially specific language, Mamdani stated that the wording is simply an observation and insisted his motivation is creating a fairer tax system.

"I’m just naming things as they are," Mamdani said, rejecting accusations that his approach is racially motivated. "The thing that motivates me in this is to create a system of fairness. It is not to work backwards from a racial assessment of neighborhoods or our city." He maintained that any references to race are descriptive, not prescriptive.

Candidate Calls for Greater Equality and Limits on Wealth

During the interview, Mamdani also reiterated his opposition to extreme wealth, saying, "We shouldn’t have billionaires." New York City, home to 123 billionaires—the highest number in the world—has become, in his view, a symbol of growing inequality. "It is so much money in a moment of such inequality. And ultimately, what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country," Mamdani asserted.

The proposal has sparked significant debate across New York City’s political landscape. Supporters argue it could bring relief to homeowners in less affluent areas who feel unfairly burdened by current property tax laws. Critics, however, warn that the explicit targeting of majority-white neighborhoods and high earners could intensify social and political divisions, and raise concerns about potential legal challenges on grounds of equal treatment.

Despite the controversy, Mamdani has shown no intention of altering the language or fundamentals of his plan. He maintains that confronting the realities of inequality—and calling them by name—is essential to building a more equitable city. As the mayoral race heats up, his proposals are likely to remain a focal point of policy debate and public scrutiny throughout the campaign.