Mamdani finally secures Hochul’s endorsement

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani on Sunday, declaring in a New York Times op-ed that she has confidence in his ability to lead the city through current challenges.

What Hochul’s backing means: Hochul’s decision to support Mamdani marks a notable shift given their previous clashes over Middle East policy. Last year, the 33-year-old assemblyman criticized the governor after her UJA Federation speech, posting, “Governor Hochul justifying genocide, while laughing. Disgusting.” Mamdani has also pledged to honor an ICC arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city. Despite this history, the endorsement signals broader Democratic unity behind Mamdani, as party leaders who initially questioned his progressive agenda now rally to his campaign.

“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,” Hochul wrote. She also shared about securing his agreement on maintaining strong NYPD leadership.

What Mamdani is saying: Mamdani welcomed Hochul’s support while emphasizing their alignment on key issues. In his response, he thanked 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.”

However, when pressed Monday about endorsing Hochul’s 2026 gubernatorial campaign, Mamdani avoided the question, telling reporters his attention remains on November’s election and dismissing future political commitments as “the thing beyond the thing.” This non-response has drawn conservative comments: activist Yiatin Chu of Asian Wave Alliance suggested that “Hochul got played,” while strategist Hank Sheinkopf, who runs an anti-Mamdani super PAC, told the New York Post that “Mamdani looks like he’s the head of the Democratic Party in New York, not the governor.”

Beyond New York: Hochul’s endorsement has drawn mixed reactions from multiple fronts. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called Mamdani a “communist,” responded on Truth Social, calling it “rather shocking” and “very bad for New York City,” while hinting at potential federal funding reductions. Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is expected to challenge Hochul for governor, accused the latter of backing a “raging Communist who will destroy New York.” Within Democratic circles, Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland criticized party colleagues who have not endorsed Mamdani, calling their reluctance “spineless politics.” Yet key Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, remain uncommitted to any mayoral candidate.

Hochul’s backing comes as polling shows Mamdani maintaining his frontrunner status. The latest Emerson College survey puts him at 43% compared to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 28%, while Republican Curtis Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams trail significantly.