New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has successfully leveraged a significant grassroots movement, comprised of tens of thousands of volunteers, to propel his campaign focused on affordability. In a bid to maintain this momentum, Mamdani has taken a bold step by signing an executive order to establish a new Office of Mass Engagement. This office will be spearheaded by Tascha Van Auken, the mastermind behind the field operations of his campaign.
The newly formed office will oversee several existing city units, including the Public Engagement Unit, the Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships, NYC Service, and the Civic Engagement Commission. Mamdani emphasized the need for this initiative, stating, “For too long, city government has only listened to the wealthy and well-connected while working New Yorkers remain further and further disconnected from those elected to serve them.” The Office of Mass Engagement aims to bridge this gap, fostering a deeper connection between City Hall and community organizations, faith-based groups, and ordinary New Yorkers eager to make their voices heard.
Van Auken played a pivotal role in mobilizing over 90,000 volunteers during the primary and general elections. Her efforts particularly resonated with young and new voters who felt disillusioned and demoralized by traditional politics. The office's concept is to formally harness this grassroots movement and provide a platform for community voices at City Hall. In her statement, Van Auken expressed, “We are all too familiar with wanting to participate in City government and not knowing where to go.” She added that many New Yorkers face challenges such as eviction, unemployment, or caring for loved ones without knowing where to seek help. “We will demystify government so all New Yorkers can be active participants and have the resources they need to thrive,” she affirmed.
During a press conference held at Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, both Mamdani and Van Auken refrained from providing extensive details about the office, including its budget and specific engagement strategies. Van Auken remarked that the office would consolidate public engagement efforts that have traditionally been siloed, thus streamlining them under a single, coordinated office to ensure meaningful engagement across City Hall.
When asked about the potential mobilization of volunteers to support Mamdani’s agenda—such as advocating for raising taxes on the wealthy—Mamdani remained vague. He stated, “We want to make clear that our successes will be achieved together with the New Yorkers who brought us to this point and all others that call the city their home.” He emphasized that the agenda would involve collaboration with New Yorkers actively advocating for their interests, rather than being confined to discussions behind closed doors.
In addition to the establishment of the Office of Mass Engagement, Mamdani announced the appointment of his long-time friend and attorney Ali Najmi as the chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. Van Auken, a dedicated member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has previously led campaigns for notable political figures such as state Senator Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest.
This new initiative by Mayor Mamdani signals a transformative approach to governance in New York City, aiming to elevate the voices of everyday New Yorkers and ensure that their needs are met through active engagement with city government.