Hochul aligns with the radical left and endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Sunday her endorsement of New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani. The decision, published in an opinion piece in The New York Times, gives the 33-year-old Democratic socialist a weighty endorsement within the party and comes at a time of intense internal tensions. 

In her text, Hochul acknowledged that she maintains disagreements with Mamdani, especially on fiscal and foreign policy, but according to her, they share a commitment to neighborhood safety and city affordability. The governor's endorsement represents a significant shift, as she had previously avoided speaking out in favor of the candidate, despite pressure from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Political context and internal pressures

Hochul, who is seeking a second full term next year, faces the need to shore up an increasingly left-leaning base. Mamdani's surprise victory in the June primaries and the progressive push within the party put her under pressure. Democratic sectors demanded that she add to the endorsement, which is still denied by national figures such as Chuck Schumer or Hakeem Jeffries.

The race has gained even more attention after the intervention of President Donald Trump, whose team explored formulas to convince Mayor Eric Adams to drop out of the race and make room for an Andrew Cuomo comeback. Adams, however, ruled out stepping aside, while Mamdani appears ahead in the polls and Cuomo remains trailing by several points.

Differences in agenda

Hochul's support does not imply total alignment with Mamdani's agenda. The governor rejects his proposal to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers to fund free transportation and universal child care, measures that would require approval in Albany anyway.

Nor does she agree with his positions on Israel. Mamdani has reiterated his outright rejection of the Jewish state, even going so far as to declare that he would arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York. Hochul, in contrast, has defined herself as a staunch defender of Israel.