NEW YORK (WABC) — New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she is endorsing Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the NYC Mayoral race.
Hochul tweeted on Sunday saying, “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s Zohran Mamdani.”
She explained her endorsement in a New York Times Op-Ed.
“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,” Hochul wrote.
Mamdani responded on Sunday saying he was grateful for Hochul’s support in unifying the party.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams once touted a strong working relationship. His legal trouble, relationship with the Trump administration and decision not to run as a democrat in the primary haven’t seemed to affect that, but Adams trails Mamdani in the latest poll. It shows the democratic socialist Assemblyman with a commanding lead among voters overall.
Several prominent, mostly progressive, Democrats have enthusiastically endorsed Mamdani. Adriano Espaillat explained last month that loyal Democrats should support their nominee.
“The Democrats have spoken,” the congressman said back in July.
Then there’s organized labor. Most of the city’s major labor unions have already endorsed Mamdani. A total of 67 unions and political organizations, along with nine state senators, 17 assembly members and 16 council members, or roughly one-third of the City Council, have thrown their support behind him.
Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa’s campaign spokesperson issued a statement saying, “The worst governor in America just endorsed the worst candidate for mayor. They deserve each other. New Yorkers see through the backroom politics and know Curtis Sliwa is fighting for them, not the insiders. Curtis will be mayor this year, Elise Stefanik will be governor next year, and the nonsense will finally end.”
Hochul has described herself as moderate, and a strong supporter of Israel, but says she and Mamdani are united when it comes to stopping Trump administration policies that could hurt the city like cuts to Medicaid.
“This is a very politically risky maneuver for someone who’s running for re-election next year and needs to win the New York City suburbs, which will not like Mamdani no matter what he does,” said political analyst Hank Sheinkopf.
However, Sheinkopf says it’s the right thing for her to do as head of the democratic party in New York State.
Hochul was Andrew Cuomo’s lieutenant governor, but distanced herself from him after his resignation and allegations he sexually harassed eleven women.
Of her conversations with Mamdani, Hochul writes…
“I also shared with him my priorities, making it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe. I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. – and he agreed.”
For his part Mamdani says tonight that he’s grateful, saying the governor is unifying the party, standing up to President Trump and working on issues like expanding access to childcare.
“Let’s see if she goes in the street and campaigns with Mamdani and let’s see what voters, particularly the ethnic groups that he’s had problems with, and particularly voters who are over 45, what they think about it in the weeks to come,” added Sheinkopf.
Hochul’s decision may not sit well with some of her supporters and donors as SHE heads into campaign mode next year.
Mayor Eric Adams and his campaign declined to comment on her endorsement.
Now the question is whether other major New York Democrats like Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries will follow suit.
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