Gov. Hochul’s endorsement of Zohran Mamdani for mayor has garnered combined reactions from Jewish advocates.
Pictures by Lloyd Mitchell
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of Zohran Mamdani boosted his candidacy, however could have deepened the divide amongst a number of teams, together with Jewish voters, the place numerous stands have polarized the voters.
Hochul, in endorsing “33-year-old assemblyman from Queens” and Democratic mayoral nominee, mentioned the 2 “don’t see eye to eye on everything, and I don’t expect us to” in an announcement that at occasions targeted on variations.
She mentioned she had “frank conversations” with Mamdani they usually have had “disagreements,” however known as him a pacesetter “who is focused on making New York City affordable.”
Hochul outlined three issues, together with these amongst many Jewish voters, companies and safety, that prompted some pushback in opposition to Mamdani amongst extra reasonable Democrats as he rose to turn into the occasion’s standard-bearer within the 2025 NYC mayor’s race.
“We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally,” she mentioned, noting she has “been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly.”
Jewish voters stay notably and passionately divided, with left-leaning teams usually supporting him whereas many others oppose him, resembling Sara Forman, government director of the New York Solidarity Community, a political group that seeks to empower Jewish voters.
“As we have long appreciated Gov. Kathy Hochul’s support for the Jewish community, we disagree with her decision to endorse Zohran Mamdani, who does not share those same values,” Forman advised New York News on Tuesday. “Governor Hochul noted the need for Mr. Mamdani to work alongside her in the fight to combat antisemitism, and we will continue to wait for Mr. Mamdani’s actions to match his words.”
The New York Solidarity Community, in a July survey of 800 New York Metropolis Jewish voters, discovered that just a little greater than one-third mentioned they’d vote for Mamdani, essentially the most amongst candidates within the subject, however effectively under a majority.
The extra historically non secular a Jewish voter, the much less probably they have been to assist him, the survey discovered. A majority of reformed Jews surveyed, 54%, supported Mamdani, in comparison with a nonetheless sizable 31% Conservative and a scant 3% Orthodox.
Extra youthful Jewish voters assist him, whereas older ones are much less probably. The survey discovered that 23% of these 50 and older mentioned they’d vote for him, in comparison with 52% for voters aged 18 to 49.
Jewish teams that assist Mamdani, alternatively, greeted the endorsement as a welcome addition to the marketing campaign.
“I’m very happy to see her endorse Zohran Mamdani,” mentioned Alicia Singham Goodwin, political director of Jews for Racial and Financial Justice, a political group that payments itself as “the home of New York’s Jewish Left.”
“I think Hochul sees the writing on the wall. Zohran and his agenda are deeply popular and inspiring to all types of New Yorkers, including Jewish New Yorkers,” Singham Goodwin added.
Enterprise and public security
Mamdani’s discuss of elevated taxes on the rich and another insurance policies prompted some concern amongst businesspeople.
“I emphasized to him my belief in keeping and attracting businesses so that New York remains the center of the global economy and we create even more good-paying jobs for our residents,” Hochul mentioned.
Enterprise teams just like the Larger Harlem Chamber of Commerce mentioned they have been non-partisan, and never taking a stand.
Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Govt Director Jesse Gericke mentioned they don’t endorse, however “welcome the Governor’s engagement in the race and will continue to evaluate all mayoral platforms.”
“We encourage Assemblymember Mamdani and all candidates to engage directly with the small business community to ensure policies strengthen, rather than strain, Greenwich Village’s commercial corridors,” he mentioned.
Hochul in her endorsement, mentioned she made it “very clear [to Mamdani] that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe.”
Teams that assist Mamdani welcomed Hochul’s choice. 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich, whose union endorsed Mamdani, mentioned they “applaud” Hochul.
“United, we are able to accomplish much more to make life more affordable for New Yorkers,” he mentioned.
