Zohran Mamdani‘s surprising victory in the mayoral race has prompted elite parents in New York to react with alarm and begin relocating.
Since the announcement of the election results on Tuesday night, school placement consultant Christopher Rim has reported a surge in inquiries. The founder and CEO of Command Education revealed to The Post that at least 23 families have contacted him seeking admission for their children into private schools outside the city.
“Within the first 30 minutes of the AP declaring Mamdani’s win, I received three messages from families looking to move,” Rim stated.
Some families anticipated this outcome months prior.
“Throughout the summer, I began hearing families express concern, saying, ‘I don’t know what we will do if he wins,’” Rim noted. Indeed, six of his clients had already relocated to Connecticut towns such as Greenwich, Darien, and Riverside before the school year commenced. “They were saying, ‘He’s going to win, and there’s no reason to wait,’” Rim recalled.
The migration includes families with children attending some of New York’s most prestigious schools, including Trinity, Riverdale, Horace Mann, Ramaz, and Avenues, spanning from third grade to high school.
Reports indicate that many of these families are Jewish parents concerned about rising antisemitism and Mamdani’s contentious views on Israel.
“They’re expressing fears for their safety in daily life,” Rim said. “This isn’t just a financial issue; it’s not about taxes or the increased cost of living.”
As families depart, Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Hampton Synagogue is making preparations for an expected influx. He announced plans on Tuesday to establish the Hamptons’ first Jewish day school.
“This is in anticipation of the thousands of Jewish families that will relocate to the Hamptons and greater Suffolk County to escape the antisemitic climate of Mamdani’s New York,” Schneier posted on Facebook.
A J.L. Partners poll conducted just before the election indicated that 9% of New Yorkers would “definitely” leave if Mamdani won, with an additional 25% considering the possibility.
According to Rim, many of his clients are now exploring schools in Florida, including American Heritage in Plantation, Lehrman Day School in Miami Beach, Pine Crest in Fort Lauderdale, Ransom Everglades in Miami, and Miami Country Day School.
