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Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
Jul 18, 2025
Contributors
Michael Toth
Richard M. Reinsch II
Photo by Redd Francisco on Unsplash

Civitas Conversations: Michael Toth on Zohran Mamdani and the Future of Progressivism

Contributors
Michael Toth
Michael Toth
Research Director
Michael Toth
Richard M. Reinsch II
Richard M. Reinsch II
Editor-in-Chief, Civitas Outlook
Richard M. Reinsch II
Summary
Michael Toth and Richard Reinsch discuss the New York City mayoral candidacy of Zorhan Mamdani and what it means for the future of New York and how Texas will capitalize on the city's potential failures.
Summary
Michael Toth and Richard Reinsch discuss the New York City mayoral candidacy of Zorhan Mamdani and what it means for the future of New York and how Texas will capitalize on the city's potential failures.
Listen to this article

Civitas Outlook editor-in-chief Richard M. Reinsch II interviews Michael Toth about his recent Outlook piece titled "Escape from New York," which explores how high taxes and heavy regulation are pushing companies and residents out of New York.

Toth's article warns that policies proposed by socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani—like rent freezes and profit caps—could accelerate the exodus. In contrast, cities like Austin and states like Texas are attracting growth by reducing red tape, adding to the housing supply, and creating business-friendly environments.

Michael Toth is a research fellow with the Civitas Institute and a seasoned tech general counsel with over fifteen years of corporate counsel and litigation experience. He has served as a lawyer in the Marine Corps and a senior counsel at the Texas Office of Attorney General.

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