Kathy Hochul Has Endorsed Zohran Mamdani for Mayor
New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City on Sunday. In a New York Times editorial, Hochul said she saw in Mamdani “a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family.”
Hochul acknowledged that she and Mamdani aren’t aligned on every issue, but said she’s confident that Mamdani “has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment,” particularly praising his commitment to making the city more affordable.
“Mr. Mamdani and I don’t see eye to eye on everything, and I don’t expect us to. I will always reserve the right to disagree honestly and to argue passionately,” she wrote. “But I also believe that New York State and New York City are at our best when we stand together against those who attempt to tear us apart.”
Hochul appeared to take a swipe at incumbent mayor Eric Adams, whose criminal prosecution was dropped in February courtesy of the Trump administration’s Justice Department. Hochul wrote that it’s crucial “the next mayor will not be someone who would surrender one inch to President Trump” — a statement that could also be interpreted as a jab against former governor Andrew Cuomo.
The governor’s endorsement is a major one for Mamdani, whom a number of Establishment Democrats have yet to publicly endorse. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have not yet officially rallied behind Mamdani despite having met with him since his primary win, and both are facing increasing pressure to throw their support behind their party’s nominee — the accepted convention in any usual election, and one that party leaders are deviating from in a significant way by dragging their feet on an endorsement.
In a characteristically all-over-the-place Truth Social post Monday morning, Trump railed against Hochul and Mamdani and suggested New York City’s federal funding would be at risk if Mamdani wins. “Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed the ‘Liddle’ Communist,’ Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City. How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!” he wrote.
Mamdani thanked Hochul on Sunday night, writing in an X post that he was “grateful for the Governor’s support in unifying our party, her resolve in standing up to Trump, and her focus on making New York affordable.”
“I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together,” he added. “Our movement is only growing stronger.”
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