Mayor Zohran Mamdani formally endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s reelection bid Thursday morning, saying their working relationship is a mannequin for productive governance.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, introduced the endorsement in an op-ed revealed in The Nation, framing it round working with Hochul, a reasonable, over the previous six months. He stated they’ve achieved essentially the most on affordability and common little one care, together with greater than $1 billion in state funding that he stated lifted annual prices above $22,500 for a lot of New York households.
That announcement was rapidly adopted by one from state Legal professional Common Letitia James, who additionally endorsed Hochul’s re-election — giving the incumbent governor a one-two punch of assist from high-profile New York Democrats forward of the state’s Democratic conference in Syracuse Thursday, the place Hochul is anticipated to obtain the social gathering’s official backing.
It additionally provides Hochul a lift amongst Mamdani’s progressive base forward of the June Democratic main, the place she faces a long-shot problem from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber to have fun one yr of congestion pricing. Monday, Jan. 5, 2025.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell
In his op-ed Thursday, Mamdani stated he has come to belief Hochul as a frontrunner keen to barter and produce outcomes, corresponding to on securing the common little one care program.
“We delivered this historic win together,” he wrote, including that whereas the 2 don’t agree on every thing — significantly taxation of the wealthiest — their partnership demonstrates how trustworthy dialogue can produce outcomes.
“We must be able to disagree honestly while still delivering for the people we serve. Over the past 6 months, Governor Hochul and I have done exactly that,” Mamdani wrote.
“I have come to trust Governor Hochul as someone willing to engage in an honest dialogue that leads to results,” he stated. He additionally praised their cooperation on immigration coverage and the broader relationship between Albany and Metropolis Corridor, saying they’ve “forged a new era…after too many years defined by pettiness instead of productivity.”
“New Yorkers deserve leaders who believe in transformation. Leaders who understand that hope is inspired by a vision, and sustained by change. Governor Kathy Hochul has earned my endorsement because she has chosen to govern in that spirit. And in this moment, that choice matters,” Mamdani concluded.
Hochul welcomed the endorsement in a press release, saying, “From day one, my focus has been on delivering for New York families, making our state a place where kids can grow up safe and where families have every opportunity to thrive. Mayor Mamdani understands that we need to build a New York that everyone can afford — I’m grateful for his partnership in finally bringing universal child care to New York.”
The announcement comes a day after Hochul named former New York Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her operating mate for lieutenant governor, a transfer that prompted the Kings County Democratic Committee to rescind its endorsement, saying Brooklyn social gathering leaders had not been consulted.
As for James’ endorsement, the lawyer common lauded Hochul and Adams as “dedicated public servants” who’re working to make the state safer and convey prices down for working New Yorkers.
“I’m excited to work with them to defend New York from our reckless federal government as we protect critical funding and New Yorkers’ rights every single day,” James added.
