Zohran Mamdani (left) is joining Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a breakfast event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning. (AP Images) ...
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| Zohran Mamdani (left) is joining Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a breakfast event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning. (AP Images) |
The controversy over prostitution and sex work policy has become a central point of attack in the New York City mayor's race, with rival candidates warning that the election of Zohran Mamdani could severely exacerbate the city's crime and trafficking issues.
Mamdani, who won a surprise Democratic primary, has faced intense criticism—particularly from Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo—over his past advocacy for decriminalizing sex work.
The issue has been focused on a strip along Roosevelt Avenue in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's district, which has been likened to an "open-air red light district" plagued by sex trafficking and illicit activity. The FBI has previously made combating the crisis in the area a top priority.
Sliwa and Cuomo's Warnings
Sliwa told Fox News Digital that a Mamdani mayoralty would lead to a citywide expansion of prostitution and trafficking. "I truly believe there will be an expansion of this throughout the city if he should become mayor," Sliwa said, arguing that Mamdani's clear position is that "prostitutes should have a right to sell themselves anywhere, residential areas, in the street, behind closed doors."
Cuomo's campaign echoed this alarm, stating that Mamdani's election "would only pour gasoline on the fire and turn all of New York into a red-light district."
Mamdani's Stance
As a state Assembly member, Mamdani co-sponsored "Cecilia's Law," which sought to decriminalize certain prostitution offenses, and publicly argued that "sex work is work."
However, during a recent mayoral debate, Mamdani sought to distance himself from the most extreme interpretation of these views after Cuomo's accusations. "Not only have I never called for the legalization of prostitution, I'm not calling for that today either," Mamdani stated, denying any intent to halt the enforcement of misdemeanors.
While a mayor cannot unilaterally change state laws concerning decriminalization, critics argue that Mamdani's appointment of an NYPD commissioner and influence over policing priorities could effectively relax enforcement along troubled corridors like Roosevelt Avenue.
Sliwa, who has pledged a tough enforcement plan to combat the crisis, also criticized Cuomo, noting that the former governor signed legislation repealing a law that criminalized loitering for prostitution, a move Sliwa claims aided the problem's proliferation.
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