Hochulโ Backs Zohran Mamdani in NYC mayoral Race After Months of Deliberation
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has endorsed Zohran Mamdani in his bidโค for โขNew York City mayor, bringing her support to the Democratic nominee after a nearly three-month wait. The endorsement comes as Mamdani โฃfaces scrutiny from rivals over past statements regarding policing adn Israel.
Mamdani secured the Democratic โฃprimary victory through a campaign centered on affordability and the city’s high cost of living. His success was bolstered by a strong grassroots movement and endorsements from prominent progressive figures like Rep. โalexandriaโ ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
A key component of Mamdani’s campaign involved utilizing social media platforms,including TikTok,to engage a broader range of voters. Hisโ policy proposals include โขeliminating bus fares, โขmaking City University of Newโข York (CUNY) tuition-free, freezing rents on municipal housing, providing free childcare for children under five, and establishing government-run grocery stores.
However, Mamdani has faced criticism for past commentsโ critical of the โฃNew York City Police Department (NYPD) and his proposals to shift some responsibilities โaway from the NYPD towards social services and community programs. Governor Hochul initially โindicated an apology from Mamdani regarding these โcomments would be appropriate, and Mamdani recently stated his intentionโฃ to apologize inโค an interview with The New yorkโข Times.
Hochul emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement โin โฃconversations with Mamdani. “I made it very clearโข that our police officers should โhave every resource to keep our streets andโ subways safe. I urged him to ensure thatโฃ thereโค is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. – and he agreed,” she stated.
The governor also addressed concerns surrounding โคMamdani’s previous remarks aboutโข israel, noting she discussed with him “theโค need to โcombat โฃthe โrise โขof antisemitism urgently and unequivocally” and expressed satisfaction with his meetings with Jewish leaders across the city.
Hochul’sโข endorsement is expected to benefitโ Mamdani’s campaign while concurrently strengthening her standing withโ the Democratic Party’sโ progressive base as she preparesโค for her own re-election bid nextโ year.
Mamdani welcomed Hochul’s support, stating he looks “forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of puttingโ money back inโ New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just soโข they can afford to raise a family.”
The endorsement drew criticism from โRepublican Rep. Elise โStefanik, โwho characterized Mamdani as a “raging Communist” and accused Hochul of prioritizing “criminalsโฃ and communists” over the needs of new Yorkers. Stefanik โis widelyโ expected to launch a โgubernatorial campaign โคinโ 2026.