Mayor-elect of New York City Zohran Mamdani has appealed to supporters for donations, citing $4 million cost to meet transition and preparation expenditures before moving to the City Hall on January 1, 2026.
“I hope very soon not to have to ask you for money. But until then, I’m askin’ for you to go to transition2025.com, give whatever you can …” the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, who secured more than 50% of the vote in the November 4 election, said in an online message.
Mamdani, whose platform vowing to address the cost-of-living issues facing New Yorkers, drew massive support during the mayoral campaign, asked backers to contribute whatever amount they could afford.
“We have to vet the 50,000 resumes we’ve received,” he said, explaining where the expenses will go.
We need your help! But let me explain why: pic.twitter.com/RO9d4GTgpm
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 18, 2025
Mamdani will be the first ever Muslim and Indian American mayor of the city and received votes from across New York City communities in the heart of the Empire State.
“We have to keep paying our incredible team,” said the incoming mayor of Big Apple, who toppled longtime politicians including former Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran an independent campaign with the help of wealthy donors, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
He also explained to his supporters that transition expenses are different from campaign contributions.
“Now unlike the campaign, transitions do not get public matching funds from the city. So that eight-to-one match: gone. It’s up to us to raise the money. Usually, campaigns take that as an opportunity to rely on wealthy donors, but that’s not us,” the mayor-elect said.
“We need to raise $4 million in total, so Jan. 1 can be the day we start to deliver, not start to prepare.”
Mamdani has raised over $1 million from 12,707 donors, averaging $77.65 each.
Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
