Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) predicted that if Zohran Mamdani became the mayor of New York, it would prompt an exodus from the city similar to 2020 under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Mamdani, 33, recently became the Democratic nominee for mayor and will face off against incumbent Eric Adams in November. The New York state assemblyman has offered campaign promises of free child care and free bus transportation, which have alarmed politicians on the other side.

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DeSantis suggested that Mamdani’s policies are so progressive that they overshadow the policies of de Blasio, who served from 2014 to 2021.

“This guy makes de Blasio look like Ronald Reagan,” DeSantis said Tuesday on Fox News’s Hannity. “I think this guy’s policies, soup to nuts, are probably the most radical left that I have ever seen of a major party candidate in a big jurisdiction.”

Meanwhile, de Blasio has not endorsed any candidate in the New York mayoral race. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg veered away from endorsing Mamdani and donated $5 million to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign instead.

Before Mamdani won the nomination, DeSantis jokingly responded to a poll in favor of Mamdani with the caption, “Just when you thought Palm Beach real estate couldn’t go any higher.”

The governor repeated his prediction during the interview.

“I remember when de Blasio was mayor, particularly during COVID, it sparked an absolute flow out of New York City, and yes, many into Florida,” DeSantis said. “I’m telling you, I think I’ll have to charge an entry tax or something because of this guy, because I don’t know if we’ll be able to absorb everyone that’s going to flee his poor rule if he gets in.”

DeSantis said he has spoken privately with business leaders who are “preparing to move more of their assets out of New York City if [Mamdani] eventually gets elected mayor.”

REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS ENCOURAGE NEW YORKERS TO MOVE AFTER DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) encouraged New Yorkers to move to Florida if Mamdani wins the November election.

According to the Census Bureau, Florida had the highest net migration in 2023, with 372,870 moving in.