Mamdani joins a long history of New York City leaders inaugurated on the promise of a new era for City Hall.
Lilly Tuttle, the curator of the Museum of the City of New York, gave some insight into what Mamdani might say in his first speech and how inaugurations are often a window into the era of previous administrations.
The Fiorello LaGuardia playbook
In 1934, Fiorello LaGuardia skipped a formal ceremony and was sworn in privately on the Upper East Side as he embarked on his quest to lead a city in the depths of the Great Depression.
“We are going to try and demonstrate that a nonpartisan, nonpolitical, honest, clean government is possible in our city,” LaGuardia said.
Mamdani’s speech might mirror LaGuardia’s approach in some ways, Tuttle said, since both promised to clean up corruption in City Hall.
The John Lindsay approach
Mamdani uses social media to speak directly to New Yorkers, like how LaGuardia utilized radio and how John Lindsay used television three decades later.
A progressive Republican, Lindsay promoted social justice and civil rights. Tuttle said she predicts Mamdani will pull from the Lindsay playbook in his inaugural speech.
“That he’s a mayor for all New Yorkers, and really bring the city together in a way that kind of lifts up people who feel like they just don’t have great opportunities today,” Tuttle said.
Lindsay’s inauguration, however, was overshadowed by the worst transit strike in the city’s history.