New York Mayor-elect Mamdani taps a budget and policy veteran to be his No. 2 at City Hall

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appointed a veteran budget official to be his first deputy mayor on Monday, tapping a seasoned hand of city and state government to lead operations of City Hall as he embarks on an ambitious agenda. The appointment of Dean Fuleihan as top deputy gives institutional heft to Mamdani 's budding administration, offering insight into how the 34-year-old democratic socialist will pursue a policy slate that skeptics have skewered as financially unrealistic. Fuleihan, 74, will bring more than four decades of government experience to the job, including past posts as former Mayor Bill de Blasio's budget director and deputy mayor, as well as an extensive tenure in budget and policy roles in the state Legislature in Albany.