Following the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor, lawmakers and residents on Staten Island are renewing calls to secede from the city. The movement has gained momentum after Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, won the mayoral race.
State Senator Andrew Lanza told the New York Post he intends to increase efforts for Staten Island’s independence starting in January. “Mamdani could not be further out of sync with the values of communities on Staten Island, and I’d argue that this time around Democrats won’t want to stop [the borough’s secession] because it would make it even less likely [NYC] ever elects a Republican mayor again,” Lanza said.
Lanza has advocated for secession legislation since 2008 but has seen little progress. He believes that recent political shifts in New York City could bring new support for independence, including from some Democrats. According to Lanza, “timing is right” for Richmond County to pursue independence next year, which would coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary.
On Friday, State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo held a rally in Richmond where he read an independence declaration for Staten Island at a site historically linked to the reading of the Declaration of Independence by British soldiers.
The push for secession comes amid concerns among some Staten Island residents about what they see as increasingly left-leaning policies in New York City government. Leaders have stated that these changes leave Staten Island with no choice but to consider independence.
