New York Governor Hochul Finally Endorses Mamdani for NYC Mayor
In a significant political development, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has officially endorsed Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, nearly three months after his surprising primary victory. “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani,” Hochul stated in her social media announcement. This endorsement represents a crucial step toward party unity and potentially paves the way for other establishment Democrats to follow suit. The governor’s backing could particularly increase pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who have yet to publicly support Mamdani. The 33-year-old democratic socialist expressed gratitude for Hochul’s support, highlighting their shared goals of “unifying our party” and acknowledging her work “standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare.”
Mamdani’s rise to the Democratic nomination in June was nothing short of remarkable. The Ugandan-born state lawmaker from Queens defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates in a convincing primary victory that shocked the political establishment. If elected in November, he would make history as the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of America’s largest city. Recent polls suggest he maintains a commanding lead in the race, with surveys from Quinnipiac University and New York Times/Siena College showing him 22 points ahead of his nearest competitors. His campaign has resonated particularly well with voters concerned about New York City’s affordability crisis, as he proposes ambitious initiatives including fare-free buses, tuition-free CUNY education, rent freezes for municipal housing, free childcare for children under five, and government-operated grocery stores.
Governor Hochul’s endorsement came with important clarifications about points of potential disagreement with Mamdani. In her statement to the New York Times, she acknowledged their “frank conversations” and “disagreements” while emphasizing their shared commitment to making New York City more affordable and creating opportunities for families. Addressing concerns about Mamdani’s past criticisms of the NYPD, Hochul noted she had “made it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe” and that Mamdani had agreed strong leadership at the NYPD was essential. Mamdani had recently indicated he planned to apologize for some of his past comments about law enforcement. The governor also addressed Mamdani’s controversial statements regarding Israel, stating they had discussed “the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally,” and noting his recent meetings with Jewish leaders across the city.
The mayoral race features several prominent candidates beyond Mamdani. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, co-founder of the Guardian Angels, is running for the second consecutive election but currently polls in third place. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who decided to skip the Democratic primary amid poor polling numbers, is running as an independent but currently sits in fourth place according to recent surveys. Both Sliwa and Adams have faced speculation about potentially dropping out of the race, with reports suggesting that Trump advisors had floated administration roles for them. Adams’s spokesman strongly refuted recent rumors of his withdrawal, calling them “complete bulls—” being spread by “desperate opponents.”
Mamdani’s campaign success thus far can be attributed to his energetic grassroots approach and strong support from progressive leaders like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. He has effectively utilized social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to engage with younger and low-propensity voters. His focus on affordability issues has clearly resonated in a city grappling with skyrocketing living costs. Following Hochul’s endorsement, Mamdani praised her commitment to tackling affordability challenges, saying he looks forward to “fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family.”
The political implications of Hochul’s endorsement extend beyond the mayoral race. For the governor, supporting Mamdani could help shore up her standing with the Democratic Party’s progressive wing as she looks toward her own re-election campaign next year. However, not everyone welcomed the endorsement. Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, a Trump ally expected to run for governor in 2026, harshly criticized Hochul’s decision, calling Mamdani a “raging Communist” and accusing the governor of “putting criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST.” As the November election approaches, this endorsement marks a significant moment of party alignment that could further solidify Mamdani’s position as the frontrunner in this consequential mayoral race for New York City’s future.
