Socialism fever is spreading to big cities all over the country.
Washington, DC, Council member Janeese Lewis George, a Democratic Socialist, launched her campaign for mayor of the nation’s capital on Monday – and she’s reportedly seeking to emulate Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral bid.
Lewis George, 37, is seeking to replace DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who announced last week that she would not seek re-election to a fourth term.
“Rent’s rising in homes people can’t afford. Folks are working hard and still feeling the squeeze, while the few in power rake in profits,” Lewis George said in a video announcing her run for mayor, echoing the rhetoric that propelled Mamdani to victory in the Big Apple.
New York City business leaders are split on whether to relocate their firms to avoid Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s policies
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is New York City’s mayor-elect, set to assume office on Jan. 1, and some billionaires have floated relocating their businesses out of the largest U.S. city.
Real estate investor and Starwood Property Trust CEO Barry Sternlicht told CNBC in a recent interview that his firm is considering relocating now that Mamdani will be the city’s next mayor, and that he expects other businesses to do so as well.
The commercial real estate tycoon and founder of Starwood—which reported Monday having $29.9 billion in total assets at the end of the third quarter—suggested that tenants will be emboldened not to pay their rent with Mamdani in charge.