New York Governor Kathy Hochul has formally endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for NYC mayor, describing him as a leader with “the courage, urgency and optimism” to steer the city through its toughest challenges. Hochul stressed that the choice of mayor directly impacts the lives of all 8.3 million New Yorkers and said she had reflected carefully before making her decision.
What Hochul said on backing Mamdani?
In a post on X, Hochul wrote, “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers.”
Affordability, long a central theme of Hochul’s administration, played a decisive role in her endorsement. She said she was encouraged by Mamdani’s focus on making New York a city where families can thrive without being priced out.
In an opinion piece to the New York Times, Hochul pointed to her own record of lowering middle-class income taxes and introducing free school meals, while noting that more remains to be done. She stressed that Mamdani shares her determination to bring down living costs and expand opportunities for working families.
Public safety also featured prominently in Hochul’s announcement. She explained that she had pressed Mamdani to commit to giving police officers the resources they need to keep streets and subways safe, and to ensure strong leadership within the New York Police Department. On another sensitive issue, Hochul highlighted her discussions with Mamdani about combating antisemitism. She welcomed his outreach to Jewish community leaders and said she looked forward to working alongside him to ensure New Yorkers of all faiths feel secure.
Mamdani’s strong stand against Trump’s agenda
Hochul made it clear that part of her endorsement is driven by national politics. Since taking office, President Trump’s policies – from tariff increases to cuts in Medicaid and food assistance – have, she argued, damaged New York’s economy and strained working families. She said she wanted reassurance that the city’s next mayor would “not surrender one inch” to Trump. Hochul expressed confidence that Mamdani would be fearless in standing up to the president’s “extreme agenda”, insisting New York must never fall under his influence.
In a personal touch, Hochul recalled her own upbringing in a working-class family in Buffalo, where her parents struggled to provide for six children on a tight budget. She said those memories shape her empathy for New Yorkers who work hard yet feel they cannot afford to live in the city they love. That urgency, she suggested, is why leaders cannot wait another year or election cycle to take action on affordability.
Hochul acknowledged that some might see her partnership with Mamdani, a 33-year-old assemblyman from Queens and a governor from Buffalo, as unlikely. But she argued that New Yorkers need leaders who can set aside differences and unite against division. She said she would continue to disagree honestly with Mamdani when necessary, but that their shared values and resolve outweigh policy disputes.
Hochul said her endorsement is rooted in the belief that public life should always be about improving lives rather than seeking power for its own sake. She declared her support for Mamdani as the candidate who can make New York more affordable, inclusive and resilient, and expressed optimism that the city’s best days are still to come.