Ahead of Mamdani’s Rent Freeze Vote, Board Member Resigns in Protest

In a statement, Christina Smyth said the result of the vote was already decided on the mayoral campaign trail.

An apartment building stands in the East Village in New York City, on May 11, 2026. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

A board member representing landlord interests on the independent board governing rent-stabilized housing in New York City resigned in protest June 25, hours before the board was expected to vote in a rent freeze securing a major victory for Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Christina Smyth, who was appointed to the board by former Mayor Eric Adams, posted her resignation letter on LinkedIn. She said the result of Thursday’s vote was already decided on the mayoral campaign trail. “Everything since has been theater,” Smyth wrote.