NEW YORK — Democrats are poised to solidify their dominance in New York City government following Zohran Mamdani's election as mayor and significant gains in the City Council, setting the stage for a potentially smoother collaboration between the executive and legislative branches than in recent years.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, will take office in January with a City Council where Democrats hold 46 out of 51 seats, including nine new Democratic members, according to a report from the New York Post. This overwhelming majority contrasts sharply with the tenure of outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, a centrist Democrat who frequently clashed with the Council after his 2022 inauguration.
Unlike Adams, Mamdani is expected to find a more aligned audience in the Council, particularly with the expansion of the far-left Progressive Caucus. Sources told the Post that the caucus is set to add four new members, bringing its total to 21 — just five shy of the majority needed to pass legislation. Harvey Epstein (D-Manhattan), Elsie Encarnacion (D-Manhattan/Bronx), Justin Sanchez (D-Bronx), and Ty Hankerson (D-Queens) are among the newly elected members anticipated to join, while Kayla Santosuosso, a Democrat representing a politically mixed district in southern Brooklyn, is considering it.
A Democratic Council source, speaking anonymously, suggested that while some of Mamdani's proposals might face resistance, others could garner broad support. “Some Mamdani efforts — including his planned $1 billion Department of Community Safety that would have civilians instead of cops deal with the mentally ill — might run into issues with some Democrats,” the source said. “But if he’s moving ahead with other programs he’s proposed like universal child care, I’m sure he’ll have overwhelming support.”
The shift comes amid a broader Democratic sweep in the November 2025 elections, where Mamdani defeated challengers to become the city's first Muslim mayor and one of its youngest leaders at age 34. His campaign emphasized progressive policies such as affordable housing, public safety reforms, and expanded social services, resonating in a city long dominated by Democratic politics but often divided between moderate and progressive factions.
Central to the Council's dynamics is the ongoing race for speaker, where Mamdani ally Crystal Hudson (D-Brooklyn), a member of the Progressive Caucus, is in a tight contest with moderate Julie Menin (D-Manhattan). Hudson, who campaigned for Mamdani, is reportedly neck and neck with Menin, who represents the Upper East Side and did not endorse a mayoral candidate this year.
Multiple sources indicated that heading into the annual SOMOS political retreat in Puerto Rico over the weekend of November 8, 2025, Menin had unofficially secured 26 votes — the number needed to win — with Hudson holding 15 and 10 members undecided. Menin enjoys strong backing from unions and party leaders in Queens, The Bronx, and parts of Manhattan.
Hudson, however, has significant support from the Brooklyn delegation and potential endorsements from influential figures. “Crystal comes with Hakeem’s support, and Mamdani wants her to be the next speaker,” a top Democratic operative told the Post, referring to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn).
Mamdani has not yet intervened in the speaker race, and sources said it remains unclear if he will. This hesitation echoes past experiences; when Eric Adams attempted to influence the speaker selection in 2021 by supporting Francisco Moya (D-Queens), it backfired, leading to Adrienne Adams (no relation) securing the position and engaging in frequent policy battles with the mayor over the next four years.
“I’m hoping we land with a moderate speaker, but if we end up with a radical who’s in lockstep with Mamdani, this Council could turn into little more than a rubber stamp organization for the far-left agenda,” said Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola (R-Queens), who is backing Menin.
Menin, for her part, emphasized collaboration in a statement. “In the midst of an affordability crisis and Donald Trump coming for New York, the mayor and speaker must work together to create a more affordable city — one where child care is free, rent affordable, and our neighborhoods safe,” she said. “I look forward to working with the mayor-elect, along with the council as an independent body, to enact these important policies.”
Menin's background includes running multiple city agencies under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, a progressive figure, which has allowed her to work with left-leaning colleagues despite her moderate label. This experience could position her as a bridge between factions, though critics like Ariola warn of a potential leftward tilt.
The Progressive Caucus's growth to 21 members underscores a leftward shift in the Council, potentially empowering Mamdani's agenda. Operatives noted that even without a full majority, the caucus could rally additional Democratic votes for key bills, making passage likely for initiatives like universal child care.
However, not all proposals may sail through unchallenged. The proposed Department of Community Safety, budgeted at $1 billion and aimed at using civilians for mental health crises instead of police, could encounter pushback from more centrist Democrats concerned about public safety, according to the Council source.
Looking ahead, the alignment between Mamdani and a potentially sympathetic Council could accelerate progressive reforms in a city grappling with housing shortages, rising costs, and post-pandemic recovery. Yet, with Republicans holding only five seats, minority voices like Ariola's highlight concerns about unchecked left-leaning policies. As the speaker race unfolds and Mamdani prepares to assume office on January 1, 2026, New Yorkers will watch closely to see if this Democratic grip leads to unity or new internal divisions.