Mamdani considers MTA executive Jamie Torres-Springer for a significant position as his wife leads the mayoral transition team.

Jamie Torres-Springer, a senior official at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and husband of one of Zohran Mamdani’s key transition team leaders, is reportedly being considered for the position of deputy mayor for operations in the incoming administration. This position is one of high significance in the New York City government, with responsibilities that encompass the oversight of crucial agencies such as the Departments of Transportation, Buildings, Parks, and Environmental Protection.

Torres-Springer has served as the president of construction and development at the MTA since 2021, where he has managed a comprehensive capital budget crucial for the authority’s various infrastructure projects. His background also includes a prior tenure as the commissioner of the city’s Department of Design and Construction, which is part of the deputy mayor for operations’ responsibilities.

The move comes as Mamdani’s team evaluates potential candidates to fill key administrative roles, with insiders indicating a preference for candidates with extensive experience in public transit. Torres-Springer’s considerable experience in the area positions him as a strong contender for this influential role. His candidacy is viewed favorably among supporters, who assert that his qualifications merit serious consideration, despite the potential optics of having a family connection to the transition team.

Maria Torres-Springer, his wife, was formerly the first deputy mayor under Eric Adams but stepped down earlier this year amid concerns regarding the outgoing mayor’s legal challenges. Currently, she serves as the president of the Charles H. Revson Foundation and is not expected to take a role within Mamdani’s administration following his inauguration on January 1, 2026.

Despite the sensitive nature of the family ties, sources close to Mamdani’s transition team emphasize that Torres-Springer’s appointment would reflect a well-considered decision based on merit. The administration is also exploring other candidates for the deputy mayor for operations position, including transportation veterans such as Veronica Vanterpool and Midori Valdivia, both of whom have substantial public transit experience.

Given Mamdani’s campaign promises to enhance and expand New York City’s public transportation systems, particularly in making buses faster and more accessible, his emphasis on administration members with transit experience is notable. The City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) is expected to be crucial in achieving these goals, and the political landscape may pose challenges to Mamdani’s agenda, especially with the looming federal administrations scrutinizing local transportation initiatives.

With less than a month until his inauguration, Mamdani has only made a few key appointments thus far, including Dean Fuleihan as first deputy mayor and Jessica Tisch as NYPD commissioner. As he finalizes his administration, the selection of the deputy mayor for operations remains a pivotal decision that could influence the effectiveness of his proposed transit initiatives.

The Mamdani team’s careful consideration of candidates illustrates a strategic approach aimed at aligning experienced leaders with the administration’s goals, especially in the critical area of transportation in a city where public transit remains a cornerstone of urban life.