Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made a lighthearted remark suggesting he would impose a 100% tariff on individuals relocating to Texas from New York City following Tuesday’s election, targeting the potential rise of Zohran Mamdani as mayor. The Republican leader’s comment mocked the idea of New Yorkers opposing Mamdani’s leadership fleeing to Texas. Abbott’s analogy compared incoming residents to imported goods, echoing former President Donald Trump’s trade policies and reflecting concerns over a possible exodus of voters dissatisfied with Mamdani’s platform.

Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, would become the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of New York City if elected. His progressive social welfare proposals and controversial stances on law enforcement and the Israel-Hamas conflict have drawn sharp criticism from conservatives. The 34-year-old assemblyman secured the Democratic mayoral primary in July, defeating disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo.

A recent poll revealed that nearly a million New Yorkers could leave the city if Mamdani wins, with 9% of residents stating they would “definitely” depart. Another 25% indicated they might consider relocating. The potential mass migration, equivalent to the population of Washington, DC, Las Vegas, or Seattle, has raised alarms about economic repercussions. Pollster James Johnson warned that such a departure could trigger severe financial consequences.

High-income earners, particularly those earning over $250,000 annually, showed the highest likelihood of leaving, according to the survey. Older New Yorkers, Staten Islanders, and white voters were identified as the most probable to exit. The election results have intensified debates over Mamdani’s policies and their broader implications for the city’s future.