Two additional former de Blasio aides align with Mamdani's political pursuit

In the lead-up to the November general election in New York City, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has announced significant expansions to his campaign team. Elana Leopold, a veteran political strategist with extensive experience in progressive politics, and Louise Yeung, a seasoned policy expert with a background in climate and resiliency, have joined Mamdani's campaign as senior adviser and policy director, respectively.

Leopold, a former senior official under Mayor Bill de Blasio, will serve as a liaison to civic, business, and cultural leaders across New York City. Her experience in the private sector, including running her own firm and being a founding partner of the political consulting firm Seneca Strategies, will be instrumental in building relationships with the city's business community. This move is a strategic priority for Mamdani, as he seeks to gain broader support following the primary election results.

However, many leaders and stakeholders in the business world have expressed concerns about Mamdani's progressive proposals, such as raising taxes for the city's wealthiest residents and boosting the minimum wage to $30 an hour. These proposals, while popular among many voters, have sparked fears within the business community that such measures could harm the city's economic growth.

Meanwhile, Louise Yeung, who previously worked under the de Blasio administration, has joined Mamdani's campaign as a policy director. Her background is primarily in climate and resiliency, having served as the director of resiliency for the city Department of Transportation from 2019 to 2022 and as the chief climate officer in Comptroller Brad Lander's office. Yeung's expertise will be crucial in shaping Mamdani's policies related to sustainability and resilience.

Yeung's role in Mamdani's campaign is not a liaison to the city's business community, as Leopold's is. Instead, she will focus on developing and implementing policies that align with Mamdani's progressive platform. However, her specific statement regarding her role in the campaign is not provided in the text.

The expansion of Mamdani's campaign staff is a response to the unusually chaotic general election battle. By bringing on experienced advisers like Leopold and Yeung, Mamdani aims to navigate the complexities of the campaign season and present a strong, cohesive vision for the future of New York City.

With Leopold and Yeung on board, Mamdani's campaign team is now stronger than ever. They will work closely with Mamdani's chief adviser, Elle Bisgaard-Church, to ensure a successful campaign leading up to the November election.