New York Governor Kathy Hochul has publicly endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the socialist Democrat nominee for New York City mayor, describing him as a “reasonable” and “rational” — a dedicated leader focused on making the city more affordable, the New York Post reports. During a news conference in Queens, Hochul extended a political lifeline to her ally, assuring reporters that together they would find the funds to support the socialist nominee’s key priorities.
Mamdani’s campaign centers on socialist policies such as free public transportation, government-run grocery stores, rent freezes, and increased taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations to fund affordability initiatives. Hochul supports the goal of making New York more affordable, though she has voiced some concerns in the past about the potential impact of tax increases on wealthy residents.
“I found him to be eminently rational and understands this is something that would take an act of the legislature and the governor to sign,” Hochul said when asked about Mamdani’s tax-the-rich plan. “And so he wants to work with me on this, and we don’t have the details flushed out.”
Mamdani joined other officials standing behind Hochul on the dais at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, where she announced a new $5 million state grant to support the club’s ambitious $300 million expansion planned for next year. After sharing a hug and taking a selfie with Hochul, Mamdani quietly slipped out.
When reporters began asking questions, Hochul acknowledged that she and Mamdani still differ on his broader $10 billion package of proposed initiatives. “As I’ve said, I’ve had major differences with the candidate Zohran Mamdani on many issues, but I think he touched a nerve,” Hochul said. “I think there are conversations that’ll happen in earnest on many policies in post-election, and there’s time to do that as the [sic] coincides with the time that I’m finalizing my state address.”
“I already invited him to talk about his priorities and my priorities and you [sic] how they’re aligned, how to get to yes on many of them,” she added.
Hochul’s endorsement represents one of the most significant backings Mamdani has received. Mamdani expressed gratitude for Hochul’s support, viewing it as a sign of growing momentum for his socialist movement. The governor’s support also came amid heightened political tensions, as President Donald Trump criticized the endorsement and threatened to withhold federal funding for New York City should it spiral into a socialist nightmare.
Last week, Mamdani acknowledged that his plan to raise taxes might not be feasible and that he would need to develop an alternative approach. “If this money is funded by the additional taxes or it’s funded by a better-than-expected (tax) assessment, or it’s funded by a pot of money that wasn’t previously spoken about, or savings that have come in, then the most important thing is that it’s funded,” he said.
