New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Monday that he will continue working with top political adviser Morris Katz. Mamdani described Katz as remaining a key member of his team, even as hundreds of Democratic Socialists of America members urged officials to sever all ties over Katz’s role in the failed Graham Platner Senate campaign in Maine.
Mamdani made the statement during public remarks, saying, “I will continue to work with Morris Katz. He remains a top advisor of mine.”
Background on the Platner Campaign Collapse
Graham Platner, a Marine Corps veteran and oyster farmer from Maine, won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in 2026. His campaign quickly unraveled amid multiple controversies. These included a Totenkopf tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi symbol, past Reddit posts criticizing police and rural communities, reports of inappropriate messages sent to women while married, and a former girlfriend’s allegation of rape, which Platner denied.
Platner suspended his campaign and later formally withdrew. The rapid downfall damaged Democratic efforts to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins and drew sharp criticism from progressive groups.
Morris Katz, through his firm Fight Agency, served as a media strategist and adviser on the Platner campaign. Katz helped produce campaign videos aimed at working-class voters and assisted in winding down operations after the scandals surfaced. He had previously defended Platner publicly before calling for suspension once the serious allegations emerged.
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DSA Letter and Growing Pressure
Hundreds of DSA members, with reports indicating more than 500 signers in some counts, circulated a letter demanding that candidates and elected officials cut ties with Katz and Fight Agency. The letter accused the firm of elevating Platner despite clear warning signs and argued that the decision harmed broader progressive goals, including the push to defeat Collins.
Signers included DSA leaders from New York City, Maine, and national committees. Critics within the group said the episode highlighted risks of promoting candidates based on a narrow view of working-class appeal.
Mamdani’s Decision and Context
Mamdani rose to the mayoralty in 2025 with strong support from progressive and DSA-aligned voters. Katz played a central role in that victory, creating memorable digital ads and shaping economic populist messaging that helped Mamdani overcome early polling deficits.
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Mamdani’s decision to keep Katz on staff signals loyalty to the strategist credited with much of his campaign success. It also places the mayor at odds with segments of the DSA base that helped elect him.
Katz has worked with other progressive candidates in recent cycles and remains active in Democratic media strategy. His continued role with Mamdani is likely to fuel ongoing debate within left-leaning circles about accountability and consultant influence following the Platner episode.
The story has drawn attention on prediction markets, where political outcomes tied to New York and Maine races continue to attract trader interest. Mamdani’s public backing of Katz appears to close one chapter while leaving questions about future progressive alliances unresolved.
