Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appeared to jokingly say he would “impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC” after Tuesday’s election. The Republican governor’s comment jabbed at the prospect of New York City electing self-described Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor. After the polls close tomorrow night, I will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC. — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 3, 2025 Chron shared: Abbott’s quip—likening potential New York City movers to imported goods—was a nod both to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the anxieties over a possible wave of ex-New Yorkers who don’t support Mamdani seeking refuge in Texas. If elected, Mamdani would be the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of the largest U.S. City. This concept, along with his expansive social welfare proposals, has led conservatives—like Abbott—into an uproar. Mamdani has faced a mix of both political and personal jabs throughout his campaign, which has steadily gained momentum, allowing the New York State Assemblyman to clinch the Democratic mayoral primary win in July. The mayoral hopeful has been criticized for his heavy-handed stance against law enforcement and for condemning the Israel-Hamas war, referring to it as a genocide. He has also garnered criticism for his wide-ranging policy positions, which include making buses free, supporting universal childcare and increasing options for affordable housing. Some critics of Mamdani have even suggested they might leave the city if he is elected, especially following what some New Yorkers described as his surprising victory over disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. If Mamdani secures the victory in Tuesday’s election, there could be a mass exodus from New York City in the near future. Nearly a million New Yorkers said they would flee the city if Mamdani becomes mayor. Nearly a million New Yorkers ready to flee NYC if Mamdani becomes mayor — possibly igniting mass exodus: poll https://t.co/ztUU4GqdE0 pic.twitter.com/PNTtAfkrD6 — New York Post (@nypost) November 3, 2025 More from the New York Post: Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are prepared to bolt from the Big Apple if socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday’s mayoral race — potentially setting the stage for the largest population flight in US history, an alarming new poll warned early Monday. Around 765,000 people of the 8.4 million residents who call New York City home are preparing to leave, with about 9% of New Yorkers sharing that they would “definitely” leave the city if Mamdani is elected the 111th mayor, the Daily Mail reported, citing a survey conducted by J.L. Partners. If those residents were to leave, it would be equal to the population of Washington, DC, Las Vegas, or Seattle fleeing the city. Another 25% of New Yorkers — about 2.12 million — said they would “consider” packing up and leaving. Among high earners, 7% of those making over $250,000 a year said they would definitely flee. Poll results highlighted widespread unease about the 34-year-old assemblyman taking over City Hall, warning that a mass departure could have severe economic consequences nationwide. “If anywhere near that number actually left, the economic impact would be seismic,” pollster James Johnson told the outlet. “Older New Yorkers, Staten Islanders, and white voters are the most likely to say they would pack up and go.”