Hochul backs Mamdani for mayor….
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul threw her support behind left-wing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the Big Apple mayor’s race Sunday night, breaking weeks of distance her camp had kept from the Democratic Party nominee.
“The question of who will be the next mayor is one I take extremely seriously and to which I have devoted a great deal of thought,” Hochul wrote in a New York Times guest essay. “Tonight I am endorsing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.”
The governor said she reached the decision after “frank” talks with Mamdani despite “disagreements.”
“In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements,” Hochul wrote. “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 said the two discussed affordability, keeping strong leadership “at the helm” of the NYPD, and the urgent need to address “the rise of antisemitism” across the city.
“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 added in a post on X.
New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers.
That’s @ZohranKMamdani. https://t.co/i9I0OzDdXJ
— Kathy Hochul (@KathyHochul) September 14, 2025
Mamdani welcomed the endorsement.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The governor’s move is expected to open the door for other top Democrats — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — to line up behind Mamdani, according to sources.
President Trump reacted to Hochul’s endorsement in a post on TRUTH Social:
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed the “Liddle’ Communist,” Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City. How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad! President DJT
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