Zohran Mamdani, NYC mayoral candidate, recruits national figures to overhaul campaign team.
In a significant move ahead of the upcoming November elections, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has appointed a new campaign manager, as confirmed by his campaign team on Friday. Maya Handa, recognized for her role in State Senator Zellnor Myrie’s recent mayoral campaign, will take on this critical position. This decision reflects a strategic shift in Mamdani’s campaign as he prepares for the general election.
Replacing Handa in her previous capacity will be Elle Bisgaard-Church, who has been integral to Mamdani’s campaign thus far. Bisgaard-Church will transition to the role of chief adviser, allowing her to continue guiding the team while emphasizing the goal of securing Mamdani’s election as the next mayor. She expressed pride in the primary campaign achievements and anticipates her new responsibilities with enthusiasm.
Handa’s impressive credential includes experience at the national level, having contributed to high-profile campaigns such as that of Senator Elizabeth Warren, as well as working for congressional candidate Mondaire Jones, Buffalo mayoral contender India Walton, and the Working Families Party. Her diverse background brings a wealth of knowledge that Mamdani aims to leverage as he dips into broader campaign strategies.
The recent appointments align with a noticeable trend within Mamdani’s team, which has increasingly favored personnel with experience in national campaigns, thereby shifting away from the Albany insiders who spearheaded his primary campaign. A noteworthy addition to the campaign team is Afua Atta-Mensah, a local strategist, who will assume the role of political director. She brings local insights that are essential as the campaign seeks to strengthen its grassroots efforts. Deandra Khan will also join the team as the director of labor and intergovernmental affairs, having previously served as an advisor to the president of the service workers union 32BJ.
To bolster its communications strategy, the campaign has welcomed new members including Press Secretary Dora Pekec, who previously handled communications for Brad Lander’s mayoral bid, and Communications Director Jeffrey Lerner, formerly the political director of the Democratic National Committee. These appointments signify a robust effort by Mamdani’s campaign to enhance its messaging and public engagement as the election approaches.
As Mamdani prepares for the general election, these strategic changes are indicative of an ambitious campaign aiming to resonate with a wider electorate. The upcoming months will likely see a focused initiative to capitalize on the momentum gained during the primary as Mamdani seeks to position himself favorably in the race for New York City mayor.
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