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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has thrown her support behind Zohran Mamdani in his bid for New York City mayor, providing a significant boost for the increasingly prominent Muslim politician.
“In the four years since I assumed office, one of my core beliefs has been the necessity of the New York governor’s office collaborating closely with the mayor of New York City to improve the lives of our 8.3 million residents,” Hochul stated in an opinion piece for The New York Times.
“Deciding who will be the next mayor is a matter I take very seriously and have dedicated considerable thought to. Tonight, I am proud to endorse Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.”
On social media platform X, she added: “New York City deserves a mayor ready to stand up to President Donald Trump and work to make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That candidate is @ZohranKMamdani.”
Mamdani responded positively to the endorsement with his own post on X, saying: “I appreciate the Governor’s support in unifying our party, her stance against Trump, and her commitment to addressing New York’s affordability crisis. I am excited about the progress we will make together. Our movement continues to grow stronger.”
Having secured the Democratic primary victory in June—defeating establishment candidate Andrew Cuomo with a progressive platform of rent freezes, a $30 minimum wage, and higher taxes on the wealthy—Mamdani has garnered momentum with a compelling message of change and an effective social media strategy.
Polls indicate he comfortably leads Cuomo, a former governor now running as an independent, as well as incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Despite his rising profile, Hochul had previously hesitated to endorse any candidate, citing differences in their policy positions. However, recent meetings with Mamdani appear to have shifted her stance. Hochul, who is seeking re-election next year, launched her first campaign ad in August, emphasizing her straightforward approach and her willingness to challenge Trump.
Mamdani’s campaign has inspired over 10,000 progressives to consider running for office and has received high-profile endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Pakistan-born Senator Chris Van Hollen, among others.
Meanwhile, mainstream Democrats such as Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have yet to endorse a candidate, and Senator Chuck Schumer has not weighed in either. Schumer’s support tends to favor Israel, while Mamdani has openly criticized Israeli military actions in Gaza, describing them as genocidal, and has stated he would order the NYPD to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City. Mamdani argued in an interview with The New York Times that Netanyahu is a war criminal engaged in genocide, and if he were to enter the city, Mamdani would invoke an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest.
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