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(New York, NY) – Governor Kathy Hochul has endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, calling him a “leader who is focused on making the city affordable.” Hochul laid out her position in an op-ed she penned in the New York Times, making her just the latest in a series of Democrats who have fallen in line behind the candidate leading in most polls — the Democratic Socialist Mamdani. A New York State Assemblyman who won the Democratic party’s nomination this summer, Mamdani has openly campaigned on taxing the “rich”, decriminalizing misdemeanors, running free buses, and opening city-run grocery stores.
Hochul’s public endorsement means the spotlight turns to other high-profile Democrats, such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — neither of whom have endorsed Mamdani to date. For the better part of two months, Hochul had no thrown her hat in the ring in terms of an endorsement. The fact the calendar moves ever closer to November — with a series of polls putting Mamdani in the lead — tells you time is running out.
The governor’s article in the Times did not mention Mamdani’s plans to “tax the wealthy.” At times Mamdani’s comments took on a very adversarial tone while on the campaign trial, as he railed against the presence of billionaires, and the “Upper West Side.” Some have also accused him of cozying up to terrorist sympathizers, including Hassan Piker. The family members of one 9/11 victim criticized Mamdani for that connection. He’s also refused to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.”
Hochul’s comments read, in part: “In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements. But in our conversations, I heard 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. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”
77 WABC owner-operatorJohn Catsimatidis contacted the news room and said Hochul had let him know the op-ed was coming. Now the focus shifts to Schumer, Jeffries, and other prominent Democrats who may chose to chime in.
