NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani accused of backing prostitution decriminalization

A New York City mayoral race has been thrust into controversy after a New York Post opinion column questioned Zohran Mamdani's stance on prostitution policy. The column reports that on Sept. 22, 2025, Mamdani appeared on Roosevelt Island and announced he would drop out of an upcoming ABC town hall in response to what it described as the Jimmy Kimmel Show's cancellation.

According to the column, Mamdani co-sponsored an Assembly bill to decriminalize prostitution, arguing that the policy would remove most prosecutions of sex workers and clients. The column contends the measure would effectively allow sex work to operate with minimal enforcement, though proponents and some supporters describe it as not constituting full legalization.

The column notes that Mamdani has backed decriminalization since his first election in 2020 and has aligned with other progressive priorities, including ending cash bail, broad drug decriminalization, defunding portions of the NYPD, and closing Rikers Island without a replacement jail. The piece frames these positions as part of a broader reform agenda.

Despite leading in polls, the column asserts Mamdani has sought to keep questions about prostitution off the campaign stage, focusing instead on affordability and other promises.

Experts caution that decriminalization debates are complex, with concerns about trafficking safeguards and public safety. The column points to neighborhood dynamics on Roosevelt Avenue and references the so-called Market of Sweethearts as an illustration of the contentious issues surrounding street-level sex work. It also notes that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has proposed measures aimed at addressing cleanliness and street conditions on Roosevelt Avenue, underscoring how policy debates intersect with urban governance.

From the column's perspective, Mamdani's supporters say his plan would reduce criminal penalties and allow him to deliver on an affordability agenda. The piece portrays Mamdani's stance as a defining issue that voters should not overlook, even as his campaign and allies push a broader set of reforms.

As a publication, the New York Post opinion piece frames its analysis around the candidate's record and recent campaign moves, inviting readers to weigh the implications of decriminalization proposals within New York City's evolving safety and policing landscape. Voters seeking a complete view of Mamdani's positions should consult a range of sources to understand the policy distinctions between decriminalization and legalization and how such measures might interact with enforcement priorities, trafficking safeguards, and neighborhood impacts.