Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City on Sunday night in a New York Times essay, providing critical support ahead of the November election.
Ms. Hochul’s endorsement, after months of deliberation, is the latest sign that Democratic leaders who have been skeptical of Mr. Mamdani’s leftist views are beginning to coalesce around him.
Ms. Hochul and Mr. Mamdani represent divergent sectors of their party. She is a moderate who recently declared herself a lover of capitalism, vowed not to raised taxes and supports Israel. He is a democratic socialist who wants higher taxes on the richest New Yorkers and is highly critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The two leaders also have vastly different life stories: Ms. Hochul, 67, is from Buffalo and patiently rose through her party’s ranks; Mr. Mamdani, 33, was born in Uganda and grew up in Manhattan and surprised the political world with his victory in the Democratic primary in June.
Ms. Hochul said in an interview with Fox News last month that she still had “many differences” with Mr. Mamdani.
“But there are also areas of alignment, including affordability,” she said. “His election touched a nerve and people said, ‘You know what? We’re just not getting ahead.’”
Ms. Hochul and Mr. Mamdani are both focused on addressing the affordability crisis in the state and the city and could each benefit from their new alliance. Ms. Hochul is up for re-election next year, possibly running against Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican and a strong supporter of President Trump, and could be eager to tap into Mr. Mamdani’s base of young voters.
Mr. Mamdani is leading in the polls, but some Democrats have not yet endorsed him, including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leaders in the U.S. Senate and House. His rivals, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, have argued that Mr. Mamdani is too far to the left and too inexperienced.
Mr. Hochul’s endorsement could help prove that establishment Democrats view Mr. Mamdani as someone they can work with. If Mr. Mamdani wins, he will need Ms. Hochul to enact his ambitious agenda. Mr. Mamdani has pledged to implement free buses and universal child care, among other programs, and will need help from state lawmakers to pay for them.
Ms. Hochul said recently that Mr. Trump should not meddle in the race.
“Contrary to what the president thinks, he’s not a king, he’s not a kingmaker, and he should not be anointing the next mayor of New York City,” Ms. Hochul said.
Nicholas Fandos is a Times reporter covering New York politics and government.
Emma G. Fitzsimmons is the City Hall bureau chief for The Times, covering Mayor Eric Adams and his administration.
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