New York Governor Kathy Hochul has publicly endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race. Hochul expressed her support in an opinion piece for The New York Times, stating that she believes Mamdani will not yield to former President Donald Trump.
“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.
…
And in light of the abhorrent and destructive policies coming out of Washington every day, I needed to know the next mayor would not be someone who would surrender one inch to Donald Trump.
I didn’t leave my conversations with him aligned on every issue. But I am confident that he has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment,” Hochul wrote.
She added, “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’s endorsement comes as divisions persist within the Democratic Party regarding whether to back Mamdani, who identifies as a communist and is known for his sympathies toward Islamism. The debate among party leaders reflects concerns about his political stance.
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen also recently endorsed Mamdani. He stated that Mamdani would help ensure people can afford to live where they work and criticized other Democratic leaders for withholding their endorsements.
“Yet, many Democratic members of the Senate and the House representing New York have stayed on the sidelines,” Van Hollen said. “That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of. They need to get behind him and get behind him now.”
Recent polling indicates strong support for Mamdani. A Siena and The New York Times poll shows Mamdani leading by 22 percentage points over Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent candidate. According to these figures, Mamdani is projected to receive 46 percent of the vote, while Cuomo stands at 24 percent. Republican Curtis Silwa holds 15 percent, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has 9 percent support. There is speculation that Silwa and Adams may withdraw from the race to improve Cuomo’s chances.
