First deputy mayor brings de Blasio era expertise to Mamdani administration
Dean Fuleihan, at 74 years old, represents the institutional continuity that balances Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s relative inexperience and youth. As first deputy mayor, Fuleihan wields influence over daily city operations and serves as the administration’s bridge to Albany’s power structures. The veteran has held senior positions in previous administrations, including budget director under Bill de Blasio and deputy mayor positions managing both fiscal and policy portfolios. His appointment was announced November 10, 2025, and was widely seen as a strategic masterstroke: Fuleihan’s profile reassures those concerned about Mamdani’s limited management background, while his practical Albany experience could help advance the mayor’s ambitious policy agenda.
Background and Government Experience
Fuleihan brings decades of New York government experience spanning multiple administrations. His tenure as budget director under de Blasio positioned him at the center of complex negotiations over city spending, union contracts, pension obligations, and capital projects. That role required managing relationships with the City Council, state legislators, municipal unions, and the business communitystakeholders who will be critical to Mamdani’s success. Fuleihan’s appointment signals that Mamdani, despite his progressive credentials, intends to govern with institutional competence and respect for bureaucratic expertise.
Role as Steady Hand
The first deputy mayor position carries responsibility for managing day-to-day city operations across multiple agencies. This includes personnel management, inter-agency coordination, budget oversight, and serving as the mayor’s chief lieutenant on implementation of strategic initiatives. Fuleihan’s appointment allows Mamdani to focus on public-facing agenda-setting while delegating operational management to someone with proven capability. The two announced their appointments together at a joint press conference, symbolizing the balance between new energy and experienced management that defines the early Mamdani administration.
Bridging Ideological Gaps
Fuleihan’s de Blasio background and managerial focus contrast with chief of staff Elle Bisgaard-Church’s grassroots organizing background and democratic socialist orientation. This tension, managed carefully, can produce effective administration: ideological clarity from the political operation, institutional competence from the management structure. The risk is that Fuleihan’s instinct toward incremental change and budget constraint conflicts with Mamdani’s campaign promises of expansive, audacious governance.
Albany Relationships Matter
Fuleihan’s experience navigating Albany’s complexities will be tested immediately on fiscal issues. Governor Hochul controls significant state resources and must authorize major city revenue sources. Budget director Sherif Soliman, another de Blasio veteran, works alongside Fuleihan on fiscal strategy. Together they manage the relationship between a mayor pushing for progressive taxation and a governor reluctant to authorize it during an election year.
Questions About Power Dynamics
Some observers question whether Fuleihan’s appointment limits Mamdani’s ability to implement transformative change. A mayor dependent on a deputy mayor with deep establishment ties and institutional loyalties may find himself constrained by bureaucratic caution. Conversely, Mamdani’s control over political messaging and public advocacy could push even a cautious Fuleihan toward bolder action than his prior positions suggest. The dynamic will shape what policies actually get implemented. For background on NYC government structure, see NYC Department of Operations. Learn about municipal budget processes at NYC Office of Management and Budget. Read City and State coverage of administration at City and State New York. Track government appointments via Mayor’s Office announcements.
