Mamdani Appoints Veteran Budget Director Dean Fuleihan as First Deputy Mayor

74-Year-Old Government Expert Brings Decades of Experience to Support Socialist Mayor’s Ambitious Agenda

Historic First Appointments Signal Pragmatic Governance

In his first major administrative decision, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Monday that he has appointed Dean Fuleihan, a 74-year-old veteran of city and state government, as his first deputy mayor. The appointment, made just six days after Mamdani’s historic election victory, sends a powerful signal that the 34-year-old democratic socialist intends to combine progressive politics with seasoned government expertise as he prepares to lead America’s largest city.

Alongside Fuleihan, Mamdani named Elle Bisgaard-Church, his longtime chief of staff and campaign manager, to serve in the same role at City Hall. The dual appointments represent a strategic balance between institutional knowledge and movement politics, pairing a decades-long government insider with a progressive activist who helped engineer Mamdani’s stunning upset victory over establishment candidates.

According to ABC7 New York, Mamdani emphasized that these appointments reflect his commitment to building “a powerful and competent administration that delivers an affordable, livable city for working people.” The mayor-elect stated that the work of government begins by ensuring those chosen to lead do so with a singular goal: delivering for working New Yorkers.

Fuleihan’s Four Decades in Government

Dean Fuleihan brings more than 40 years of government experience to the role of first deputy mayor, the second-highest position in New York City government. He previously served in the same capacity under Mayor Bill de Blasio from 2018 to 2021, after spending several years as de Blasio’s budget director beginning in 2013. In that role, he oversaw a city budget exceeding $100 billion and guided New York through the early stages of pandemic recovery.

Prior to his work at City Hall, Fuleihan spent more than three decades in the New York State Assembly, where he rose from budget analyst to become senior budget negotiator for former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. His deep understanding of both city and state budget processes will prove invaluable as Mamdani seeks to implement an ambitious affordability agenda that requires cooperation from Albany lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul.

As reported by Crain’s New York Business, Fuleihan’s career has been guided by progressive principles despite the traditional conservatism associated with budget director positions. When de Blasio first appointed him as budget director in 2013, the mayor specifically highlighted finding “a verified progressive who also had extraordinary skill to navigate and run our budget process.”

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The Age Gap and Its Significance

At 74 years old, Fuleihan is more than twice the age of his new boss, representing one of the most striking age gaps between a mayor and first deputy in New York City history. Mamdani, at 34, will become the city’s youngest mayor since 1892 when he takes office on January 1, 2026. The pairing appears designed to address concerns about Mamdani’s relative inexperience in government administration.

Throughout the campaign, Mamdani’s youth and brief time in the State Assembly were frequent attack lines from opponents. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in both the Democratic primary and as an independent in the general election, repeatedly questioned whether the young assemblyman had the experience necessary to manage a city of 8.4 million people with a budget approaching $120 billion.

According to City & State New York, Mamdani’s decision to appoint someone as seasoned as Fuleihan is likely calculated to quell those concerns. Democratic strategist Amit Singh Bagga, a de Blasio alum, stated that few people check as many boxes as Fuleihan does, noting that key constituencies including the governor, legislature, City Council, and public servants will perceive him as a strong pick with serious experience who shares key progressive values.

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Bipartisan Praise for Fuleihan Appointment

The Fuleihan appointment has drawn unusually broad praise from across the political spectrum. U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, who represents parts of the Bronx and was a bitter opponent of Mamdani during the Democratic primary, called the appointment exceptional. Torres, an outspoken supporter of Israel who had previously called Mamdani’s Democratic Socialists of America organization “despicable, detestable, disgraceful, and disgraced,” wrote on social media that few people on earth know the workings of city and state government as deeply as Fuleihan.

Governor Hochul, who endorsed Cuomo in the mayoral race and had expressed concerns about Mamdani’s progressive agenda, quickly praised the selection. She wrote that Fuleihan is “a steady, principled public servant who has dedicated his career to making government work for New Yorkers” and that his “experience and integrity will be invaluable in this role.”

Hochul appointed Fuleihan to the New York State Financial Control Board in 2024, a position that underscores his credibility with the state’s political establishment. The Financial Control Board was created in 1975 during New York City’s near-bankruptcy crisis to enforce budgetary discipline, and its members typically represent the interests of financial institutions and fiscal conservatives.

Progressive City Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, a fellow democratic socialist, also praised both appointments, calling Bisgaard-Church “a generational talent” and crediting Fuleihan’s work on the rollout of universal pre-kindergarten under de Blasio. The New York City Council will play a crucial role in approving Mamdani’s budget proposals and legislative agenda.

Elle Bisgaard-Church: The Progressive Strategist

Elle Bisgaard-Church, 34, represents the progressive wing of Mamdani’s administration. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America like the mayor-elect, she has been Mamdani’s chief of staff in the State Assembly and served as campaign manager for his historic primary victory. She is widely credited as a chief architect of Mamdani’s successful campaign strategy and innovative policy proposals, including the controversial Department of Community Safety.

As chief of staff, Bisgaard-Church will be one of the most powerful figures in City Hall, controlling access to the mayor and managing the flow of information and decision-making processes. Her appointment signals that Mamdani intends to maintain close ties to his progressive base while navigating the pragmatic realities of municipal governance.

At Monday’s press conference, Bisgaard-Church pledged that City Hall under Mamdani would be “open-minded, strategically oriented and pragmatically focused.” She stated that it had been “the honor of a lifetime to lead the campaign that brought hope back to New York City” and looked forward to “demonstrating what a well-run City Hall can do for everyday New Yorkers.”

According to Gothamist, Bisgaard-Church previously worked as a senior advisor on Mamdani’s Assembly staff, where she helped shape core parts of his approach to governance and played a critical role in achievements such as organizing the effort with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance that won $450 million in debt relief for taxi drivers and launching New York City’s first free bus pilot program.

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The De Blasio Connection

Fuleihan’s appointment strongly suggests that Mamdani may draw heavily from veterans of the de Blasio administration, given the former mayor’s progressive politics and policy priorities. When asked Monday whether he would serve as a “mini” version of de Blasio–an insult lobbed by Andrew Cuomo during the campaign–Mamdani joked that he is, in fact, a few inches shorter than the six-foot-five ex-mayor, stating “I am five-eleven.”

The connection to de Blasio has both advantages and risks for Mamdani. De Blasio entered office in 2014 with a progressive mandate similar to Mamdani’s, implementing universal pre-kindergarten, expanding affordable housing programs, and attempting to reform police-community relations. However, his administration was also criticized for management inefficiencies, strained relationships with the NYPD, and failure to address rising concerns about street homelessness and quality-of-life issues.

Former first deputy mayor Maria Torres-Springer, who is co-chairing Mamdani’s transition team and had been rumored as a potential candidate to return to her old role, praised both appointments on social media. She wrote that Fuleihan “brings unparalleled governing experience” while Bisgaard-Church “brings clear-eyed, strategic vision.”

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Timing and Political Strategy

The speed of these appointments is noteworthy. Both Mayor Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio waited until December to announce their first deputy mayor selections after their respective election victories. Mamdani’s decision to move forward just six days after winning the general election signals an eagerness to demonstrate competence and readiness to govern.

The announcement came shortly after Mamdani returned from Puerto Rico, where he attended the annual Somos political conference, a gathering of Latino elected officials and political leaders that serves as an important networking opportunity for New York politicians. His presence there, combined with the quick announcement of seasoned appointments, suggests a concerted effort to build relationships with establishment political figures while maintaining his progressive base.

According to reporting by Bloomberg, Fuleihan will be responsible for managing New York City’s day-to-day operations and its roughly $120 billion budget. This includes overseeing the Office of Management and Budget and various administrative departments that keep the city functioning.

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The Budget Challenge Ahead

Fuleihan inherits a daunting fiscal challenge. On Monday, the same day Mamdani announced his appointments, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams released a budget update projecting a $4.7 billion deficit for fiscal year 2027. Adams increased spending for the current fiscal year by approximately $2 billion to $118 billion, including controversial commitments to hire 5,000 additional police officers–a proposal that directly conflicts with Mamdani’s stated intention to maintain current NYPD staffing levels.

The city also faces uncertainty regarding federal aid. New York City receives more than $7 billion annually in federal funding, and President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut off aid entirely if Mamdani becomes mayor. Even if Trump doesn’t follow through on those threats, federal aid to the city is expected to shrink during Mamdani’s term due to broader budget pressures in Washington.

According to the Citizens Budget Commission, Mamdani’s first budget proposal will need to close a $5 billion to $8 billion budget gap, prepare for potential federal funding cuts, and fund progress on his campaign priorities. Budget experts suggest the coming year’s deficit may be smaller than Adams estimates due to a booming Wall Street that is expected to boost income and corporate taxes, along with savings from a new health plan for city workers.

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Mamdani’s Affordability Agenda

Fuleihan will be responsible for determining how to fund Mamdani’s ambitious affordability agenda, which includes proposals for fare-free public buses, universal childcare for children ages six months to five years, rent freezes on rent-stabilized units, the construction of 200,000 new affordable housing units, and city-operated grocery stores in each borough to drive down food prices. The mayor-elect has also proposed raising the city’s minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030.

These proposals would require not only creative budgeting but also cooperation from the New York State Legislature and Governor Hochul, as many of these initiatives require state approval and legislative changes. Fuleihan’s extensive experience in Albany, including 16 years as a policy adviser to former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, positions him well to navigate these complex negotiations.

At Monday’s press conference, Fuleihan stated he has spent his entire career “guided by a commitment to serving working New Yorkers” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to help build and carry out “this vision for a new era of leadership.” He pledged to ensure that City Hall “deploys all of the tools at its disposal to deliver on Zohran Mamdani’s affordability agenda.”

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Overwhelming Interest in Administration Jobs

The appointments come as Mamdani’s transition team reports receiving approximately 50,000 applications for positions in the new administration. According to CBS New York, half of those applications arrived within the first 24 hours after the resume portal opened, a surprising level of interest that transition co-chair Maria Torres-Springer described as a positive sign for the mayor-elect and the city’s future.

Torres-Springer told CBS News New York’s “The Point with Marcia Kramer” that she had “a renewed sense of hope” following Mamdani’s election and was humbled to join his transition team. She stated that the mayor-elect is “laser focused on public excellence, which means getting right the nuts and bolts of government, but also creating the type of environment, the type of culture where more New Yorkers can really feel that the politics of City Hall are working for them.”

The transition has also reached its fundraising goal of $1 million, with an average contribution of just $80, reflecting the grassroots nature of Mamdani’s political support. The mayor-elect announced this milestone on social media over the weekend, emphasizing the broad-based financial support for his incoming administration.

Additional Appointments to Come

Mamdani indicated Monday that Fuleihan and Bisgaard-Church will be involved in choosing his next round of appointments. He reiterated that he is open to retaining other members of the Adams administration who have performed well in their roles, though he did not specify which positions or individuals he is considering.

It remains unclear how Mamdani will structure his administration and whether he will retain the setup created by Eric Adams, which included an unusually high number of deputy mayors–nine in total. The proliferation of deputy mayor positions under Adams was criticized by government watchdogs as creating confusion about lines of authority and responsibility.

One critical appointment that remains uncertain is NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Mamdani publicly committed during the campaign to keeping Tisch in her role, and announced last week that she had agreed to stay on. However, the focus now shifts to other key positions including schools chancellor, corporation counsel, and various department commissioners.

According to World Socialist Web Site, Mamdani’s transition team includes several figures with extensive experience in previous mayoral administrations, including those of Bill de Blasio, Eric Adams, and billionaire Michael Bloomberg. The team also includes Lina Khan, who previously served as chair of the Federal Trade Commission under President Biden and gained prominence for her aggressive antitrust enforcement approach.

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Progressive Movement Responds

The appointments have been generally well-received by progressive activists and organizations who supported Mamdani’s campaign. The Democratic Socialists of America, of which both Mamdani and Bisgaard-Church are members, praised the selections as demonstrating a commitment to both competent governance and progressive values.

However, some critics on the left have expressed concern about Fuleihan’s service on the New York State Financial Control Board, viewing it as a sign that he may be more aligned with fiscal conservatism than the transformative economic policies Mamdani campaigned on. The Control Board has historically been associated with imposing austerity measures and prioritizing debt payments to bondholders over social services.

Nonetheless, Fuleihan’s track record under de Blasio suggests he is capable of advancing progressive priorities within fiscal constraints. Under his leadership as budget director, the city implemented universal pre-K, expanded paid sick leave, and increased funding for affordable housing initiatives, all while maintaining the city’s bond ratings and fiscal stability.

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Looking Ahead to Inauguration

Mamdani will officially take office at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2026, with a swearing-in ceremony expected to take place either in Times Square or at City Hall. The transition team has less than seven weeks to complete the formation of his administration and prepare for the immediate challenges that await.

At Monday’s press conference, Mamdani emphasized that his administration would be built around “excellence” as its guiding principle. He stated that “excellence was the rubric around which we built our campaign team, and it will be the framework through which we approach every governing decision. And excellence is not abstract. It will be reflected in the highest levels of City Hall and the advisors who most shape my decision-making.”

The dual appointments of Fuleihan and Bisgaard-Church suggest that Mamdani is serious about this commitment to excellence while maintaining his progressive political identity. By pairing decades of government experience with youthful activist energy, the mayor-elect appears to be positioning his administration to pursue transformative change within the practical constraints of municipal governance.

For New Yorkers watching closely, these first appointments offer important clues about how Mamdani will navigate the tensions between progressive idealism and political reality. The success or failure of this approach will become clearer in the coming months as additional appointments are announced and the new administration begins to implement its policy agenda.

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