The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has issued a directive urging its members and elected officials to stop contracting or working with Morris Katz, a key adviser to Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The call comes after Katz's involvement in the failed campaign of Graham Platner, a Maine US Senate hopeful who withdrew his bid following rape allegations.
The letter, which had garnered over 500 signatures by Friday afternoon, asks DSA candidates and elected officials to commit to severing ties with Katz and his consulting firm, Fight Agency. The organization cited Katz's role in what it described as the "catastrophic campaign" of Platner, who was recruited and promoted by Katz.
According to the letter, Katz "supercharged" Platner's candidacy with "slick video production, friendly media placements, and political connections." It further states that even as scandals emerged, Katz continued to support Platner, thereby preventing the possibility of replacing him with another candidate before the primary election.
A source familiar with the matter indicated that the open letter was being circulated within both New York City and national chapters of the DSA, an organization with over 120,000 members nationwide. The letter also referenced Katz's and Fight Agency's past work, including their instrumental role in the election of Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman.
"Men like Platner must not represent the American Left, and those like Katz who push such candidates should have no role in our movement," the letter reads.