Overview

• Former Governor Andrew Cuomo urged Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani to leave his $2,300-a-month Astoria rent-stabilized unit to free it for lower-income families.
• Cuomo introduced legislation called “Zohran’s Law” that would bar New Yorkers above a certain income threshold from rent-stabilized units.
• Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman earning $142,000 and backed by a wealthy family, has come under fire for occupying subsidized housing while owning overseas property.
• New York City’s median rent has surged to $3,397, nearly $200 higher than last year, fueling voter frustration that Cuomo is tapping for political leverage.
• The escalation highlights a fragmented general election in which Mamdani leads polls but now faces intensified scrutiny over his wealth and authenticity.