Kathy Hochul Endorses Zohran Mamdani for Mayor, Marking a Key Development in the NYC Mayoral Contest

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, offering public support in a social media post and in the New York Times.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Zohran Mamdani on Sunday, writing on social media, “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani.” In a piece for the New York Times, Hochul said that after “frank conversations” and “disagreements,” she came to view Mamdani as “a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe… and where opportunity is within reach for every family,” emphasizing his focus on affordability.

Mamdani, 33, a democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens, won the Democratic primary in June, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates. If elected, he would be New York City’s first Muslim and first millennial mayor. Mamdani said in a statement that he appreciated the governor’s endorsement and her role in uniting the party, adding that he values her efforts to challenge former President Donald Trump, provide free school meals, and expand access to childcare.

Hochul’s backing comes as two other prominent New York Democrats — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — have not announced endorsements. Hochul said she emphasized in discussions with Mamdani that police should have “every resource to keep our streets and subways safe” and urged “strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D.,” adding that he agreed. She also said they discussed the need to combat antisemitism and noted his recent meetings with Jewish leaders.

Recent polls show Mamdani leading by wide margins. Surveys from Quinnipiac University and the New York Times/Siena College reported 22-point advantages over Cuomo and the rest of the field, while an Emerson College/The Hill poll also found a double-digit Mamdani lead. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa placed a distant third, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, trailed in fourth place.

Both Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and independent incumbent Eric Adams say they will stay in the New York City mayoral race, despite reports that advisers to former President Donald Trump discussed possible administration roles if they withdrew. After a separate report claimed Adams would soon exit, campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro rejected the claim as entirely false and accused political opponents of spreading the rumor because they cannot match the mayor’s record, campaign energy, or support across the city.

Mamdani’s campaign has centered on affordability, bolstered by grassroots organizing and support from progressive figures including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders. His proposals include eliminating bus fares, making CUNY tuition-free, freezing rents in municipal housing, offering free childcare for children up to age 5, and establishing government-run grocery stores. He has faced criticism from rivals over past comments about the NYPD and a proposal to move some responsibilities from police to social services and community-based programs; Hochul recently said an apology was warranted, and Mamdani told the Times he intends to apologize.

Following Hochul’s endorsement, Rep. Elise Stefanik criticized the move, claiming that a majority of New Yorkers oppose Zohran Mamdani. She described Mamdani as a “communist” and argued that his election would make the city less affordable and less safe, accusing Hochul of prioritizing criminals and communists over residents.