Mamdani backs Hochul’s reelection bid

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection on Thursday, offering the Democrat a boost against her more liberal opponents. 

In an op-ed in The Nation, Mr. Mamdani said that while the two do not agree on everything, those in office “must be able to disagree honestly while still delivering for the people we serve. Over the past six months, Governor Hochul and I have done exactly that.”

He added, “This experience matters because the challenges ahead are real. New York City faces budget hardships, an affordability crisis that rages on, and an urgent need for government to deliver. The temptation is to allow difference to turn into distrust. But over the course of our relationship, I have come to trust Governor Hochul as someone willing to engage in an honest dialogue that leads to results.”

Ms. Hochul said she was “grateful” for Mr. Mamdani’s partnership, adding in a statement, “I know that he’ll stand strong alongside me as we fight against Donald Trump’s attacks on this state.”

The endorsement represents a milestone in their relationship, as they both find themselves at opposite ends of the Democratic political spectrum — Mr. Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, versus Ms. Hochul, a self-described moderate.

Mr. Mamdani cited their early win of expanded free universal child care — one of his key campaign promises — and thanked Ms. Hochul for backing it with state funding.

The governor supported his mayoral race last year, teaming up on what they called an affordability problem. But Ms. Hochul has broken with Mr. Mamdani on some of his other ambitions, particularly when it comes to taxation of the wealthiest, he noted in his op-ed.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also offered her endorsement on Thursday for Ms. Hochul’s 2026 campaign.

“I am honored to endorse Governor Kathy Hochul and former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in this race. They’re both dedicated public servants, and thanks to them, our state is safer and costs are coming down for working people,” Ms. James said in a statement. 

Ms. Hochul is facing a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, but with Mr. Mamdani’s endorsement, his liberal fanbase could be swayed to prefer her. 

She will also take on Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive.  

Conservative critics point to Mr. Mamdani’s support as evidence that the Democratic Party has moved too far to the left.

“New Yorkers who want a check on Mamdani and Hochul’s radicalism have one choice: elect Bruce Blakeman Governor in November and vote Republican at all levels of government,” NYGOP spokesman David Laska said in a statement.