NEW YORK (AP) — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday urged New Yorkers to vote Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, giving the Democratic nominee one of his most significant endorsements to date in the contest to lead the nation’s biggest city.
Writing in the New York Times’ opinion section, Hochul said that while she and Mamdani diverged on some issues, they came together on the importance of addressing the affordability crisis in the city and across the state.
“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,” wrote Hochul, a Democrat. “I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”
The stunning success of Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist, in the race for New York City mayor has exposed divisions within the Democratic Party as it struggles to repair its brand more than half a year into Donald Trump’s presidency. Hochul’s endorsement is the latest sign that Democratic leaders who had been skeptical of Mamdani’s liberal views are beginning to consolidate around him.
Mamdani thanked Hochul for the boost, saying it’s a sign “our movement is growing stronger.”
I hope this is a tipping point, and establishment Democrats recognize that the tide is shifting.
Hochul is getting primaried by a more progressive candidate, and NYC has always been relatively weak for her because she’s from Buffalo. This isn’t actually about the mayoral race; she’s begging the city to keep her in the governor’s mansion.
Well she was Cuomo’s Lt. Gov.
He’s too fucking popular. Same problem mainstream centrist Dems have with AOC and Bernie.
I’m not surprised to see the hard-right Zionist Ds sitting down and shutting up for the most part. Nobody wants to be labeled with the Big L coming for Team Cuomo. But at some point you need to fundraise and build canvasing support off the same folks rallying around Mamdani. Can’t do that from the sidelines.
And if Zohran starts advancing his own slate of primary challenges, that could be even more horrifying for the Hakeem Jeffries of the state.
I am hoping that ‘Zohran the Destroyer’, becomes the slasher flick of bad politicians. It would warm my heart seeing Jeffries, Polosi, Trump, and Thiel see their fortunes ended.