(New York, NY) – Presumed Democratic candidate for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has made it clear he doesn’t think New York City should have any billionaires. On Monday, billionaire John Catsimatidis responded. Speaking in Murray Hill, outside one of his Gristedes’ grocery stores, Catsimatidis said Mamdani’s campaign proposals have been tried before – in Cuba, and Venezuela. And as the owner-operator of 77 WABC noted – with no success.
Specifically, Catsimatidis is railing against Mamdani’s plan for city-run grocery stores. The argument is they will destroy the city’s entrepreneurial spirit by paving the way for more widespread socialism. Catsimatidis says the plan will lead to the closure of mom-and-pop grocery stores, migrant-owned bodegas, and other convenience stores. He also notes that it would mean fewer jobs – union jobs – within the New York City private sector.
Catsimatidis, who notes he’s been in the supermarket business for 54 years, pointed out he was previously a Democrat. He expressed his love for Bill Clinton, a man he’s identified as a common sense Democrat. “The socialists have taken over the Democratic Party, and they have a system of getting out the votes during the primary,” Catsimatidis said. He argued Mamdani, a 33-year-old socialist who serves in the State Assembly, does not represent the majority Democratic voters. He compared Mamdani to other leaders that had communist views. “He wants to be the next Fidel Castro,” Catsimatidis said. “Cities and states should not be running businesses. He is looking to cripple New York,” he argued.
Having previously vowed to close or sell Gristedes if Mamdani is elected, Catsimatidis has also threatened to move his corporate offices to New Jersey in response. “If he’s elected, our corporate offices will be history,” Catsimatidis deadpanned. “He (Mamdani) says get rid of the billionaires…who provides the jobs in the city?”
Alongside Catsimatidis, Republican Fernando Mateo spoke on behalf of the Bodega’s Association and spoke about how he is also against the wishes of Mamdani – adding he will not stand by if the government tries to set up bodegas.
“This is not a communist country, this is a capitalist country where immigrants came to work and progress,” Mateo said. He notes taxes and costs rise when government runs an enterprise: “The Bodegas of America and 25,000 immigrants and their employees own and operate bodegas in New York. And we are going to continue to operate them.”
Radhames Rodriguez, the President of United Bodegas of America spoke as well about his disagreeing feelings on Zohran Mamdani’s plans.
“We have to face somebody that wants to take our business, that’s not going to happen,” he said. Rodriguez also shared his views on the importance of bodegas in communities and said he will fight to keep them.
Paige Moreno and Haley Kenny contributed to this report.
