Anti-Mamdani group targets NYC condo and co-op residents in bid to derail 'green' candidate in mayoral race

An anti-Mamdani super PAC launched a citywide canvassing effort aimed at condo and co-op residents to vote against Zohran Mamdani, the left-leaning Democratic mayoral front-runner, over his support for aggressive green-energy mandates. SAVENYC, founded by former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey and former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, plans to reach up to 832,000 co-op and condo buildings to inform about Mamdani’s stance on Local Law 97, the Climate Mobilization Emissions Law of 2019. Officials say the outreach targets roughly 1.4 million voters citywide.

Mamdani’s campaign platform describes a plan to lead a "massive decarbonization and climate resiliency process citywide," while also promising to help middle-income homeowners afford the mandate. The proposal, which includes building out renewable energy on public lands and increasing city support for compliance with Local Law 97, aims to achieve a citywide emissions reduction of 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. Mamdani has said he would pursue enforcement and support measures to implement the law, arguing that ambitious climate action is essential for the city’s future.

City officials have noted that most of the roughly 50,000 buildings already comply with Local Law 97. But McCaughey and Kelly contend the mandate will impose steep costs on apartment owners. The notices sent to co-op and condo buildings include claims that the law will force owners to convert heating systems at “millions of dollars” per building and face substantial fines for noncompliance, with warnings about higher maintenance costs and possible assessments.

The letters urge voters to "vote for any candidate except Mamdani," arguing that defeating his enforcement of Local Law 97 would protect homeowners from what they describe as an unfair burden. The Mamdani campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

The dispute sits at the center of a broader debate over how New York City should meet its climate targets. Local Law 97, enacted as part of the city’s 2019 climate legislation, requires large buildings to curb greenhouse gas emissions by upgrading heating systems and improving energy efficiency, a policy critics say could raise costs for tenants and owners, while supporters say it is essential to reduce emissions and preserve the city’s long-term resilience. The outcome of the mayoral race could influence how aggressively the city pursues that plan, and how it balances environmental goals with housing affordability.