N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul endorses Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in Manhattan in May. Photo: Kendall Rodriguez/Newsday RM via Getty Images
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) endorsed Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City on Sunday.
Why it matters: Hochul's endorsement of Mamdani, in a New York Times op-ed, is a boost for the progressive N.Y. assemblyman, who's faced opposition from some establishment Democrats.
Driving the news: Hochul said in the op-ed that she's had "frank conversations" with the 33-year-old Democratic socialist Mamdani over the past few months.
- "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.
- "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," she said.
- Hochul said she discussed with Mamdani the need to urgently "combat the rise of antisemitism" and was "glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders" in NYC to address their concerns directly, and they spoke about "attracting businesses so that New York remains the center of the global economy."
Zoom in: Due to what Hochul called "abhorrent and destructive policies coming out of Washington" daily, she "needed to know the next mayor would not be someone who would surrender one inch" to President Trump — who's indicated his support for independent mayoral candidate and former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and his opposition to Mamdani.
- "I didn't leave my conversations with him aligned on every issue," Hochul added. "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."
What they're saying: "Governor Hochul has made affordability the centerpiece of her work. I look 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," Mamdani said in an emailed statement Sunday evening.
- "I'm grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she's done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare," he added.
- "There's so much work left to do, and our movement is only growing stronger."
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