Ex-NY Gov. Paterson: NYPD Commissioner Tisch Could Be Next Mayor

Former New York Governor David Paterson believes NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch possesses the qualities to become the city's next mayor. Paterson, who also previously led the state Democratic Party, lauded Tisch after hearing her speak at a Police Athletic League event, contrasting her performance with that of current Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

"I am so glad I got to introduce her because she was fabulous," Paterson said Sunday on 77 WABC radio's "Cats Roundtable." "The statistics that rolled off the top of her head. Her sensitivity to different communities. Her desire to make New York safe – to get people to walk their dogs at night again, which they had stopped doing."

Paterson added, "It’s amazing how much she’s done. I wouldn’t be surprised if she became the next mayor of the city. … She has that kind of dynamic way of talking to an audience. I was … spellbound by her performance."

John Catsimatidis, chairman of the Police Athletic League’s board of trustees and a critic of Mamdani, also suggested Tisch would be a strong contender in the 2029 mayoral race if she decides to run.

Paterson's comments come amidst ongoing friction between Mayor Mamdani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Paterson stated that he supported Netanyahu's recent criticism of Mamdani at the United Nations, where the Israeli prime minister referred to Mamdani as the "Antisemitic Mayor."

"Well, [Mamdani] earned that by trying to imply that he has the right to arrest Netanyahu because … the court in Brussels that nobody listens to … condemned him with war crimes," Paterson commented, referencing Mamdani's earlier statements about arresting Netanyahu. Mamdani later acknowledged he did not have the authority to make such an arrest.

In July, Paterson co-authored a letter with former Brooklyn assemblyman Dov Hikind, urging the U.S. Justice Department to investigate whether Mamdani's rhetoric was inciting anti-Israel sentiment and hate crimes. This followed an incident where a defendant allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar!" while committing separate attacks.

Mamdani has stated he has "no tolerance" for hatred and is committed to combating antisemitism.

Conversely, New York Governor Kathy Hochul defended Mayor Mamdani, accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of misrepresenting the mayor's stance. Hochul stated during a WNYC interview that Netanyahu's claims about Mamdani supporting Hamas or inciting violence against Jewish New Yorkers were untrue, asserting that Mamdani has unequivocally condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization.