Gov. Hochul endorses Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor after almost 3-month wait

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It took almost three months, however the prime Democrat in New York state has lastly endorsed New York Metropolis Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.

"New York Metropolis deserves a mayor who will stand as much as Donald Trump and make life extra inexpensive for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stated Sunday night in a social media publish.

The governor's endorsement is critical, as it might assist Mamdani safe the backing of different key members of the social gathering's institution. And it'll doubtless put extra strain on two different prime Democrats in New York State who're nonetheless withholding their backing of Mamdani - Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, the highest two Democratic Celebration leaders in Congress.

Mamdani, in a press release, stated he was "grateful to the Governor for her assist in unifying our social gathering — in addition to the work she’s finished standing as much as President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our youngsters, and increasing entry to childcare."

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New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Celebration mayoral nominee in New York Metropolis. (Left: John Lamparski/Getty Photographs, Proper: Spencer Platt/Getty Photographs)

Hochul introduced her assist for Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens who shocked the political world in June together with his convincing win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and 9 different candidates to seize the Democratic Celebration's mayoral nomination, within the New York Times.

"Up to now few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements," the governor wrote. "However in our conversations, I heard a pacesetter who shares my dedication to a New York the place kids can develop up secure of their neighborhoods and the place alternative is inside attain for each household. I heard a pacesetter who is targeted on making New York City inexpensive — a objective I enthusiastically assist."

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The Ugandan-born Mamdani, if elected, would grow to be the primary Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation's most populous metropolis. He's the clear frontrunner within the newest public opinion polls within the mayoral race within the Democrat-dominated metropolis.

New York Metropolis Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, spoke to supporters at a canvass launch occasion in Brooklyn's Prospect Park on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox Information Digital)

Mamdani is sitting on 22-point margin leads over Cuomo and the remainder of the sphere in surveys launched final week from Quinnipiac College and New York Occasions/Siena Faculty. And a survey from Emerson College and the Hill additionally signifies Mamdani comfortably forward by double digits.

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Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who for a second straight election is the Republican mayoral nominee within the Democrat-dominated metropolis, was a distant third within the polls, with embattled incumbent Mayor Eric Adams , who's operating as an impartial after deciding to skip the Democratic main amid anemic polling, additional down in fourth place.

Each Sliwa and Adams have repeatedly dedicated to staying within the race in latest weeks amid a number of experiences that Trump's advisors floated administration roles for each mayoral hopefuls in the event that they dropped out.

New York Metropolis mayoral candidates, from left to proper, Democratic Celebration nominee Zohran Mamdani, Mayor Eric Adams, who's operating as an impartial, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who can be operating as an impartial, and Republican Celebration nominee Curtis Sliwa. (Getty Photographs)

Mamdani surged to the Democratic main victory due to an lively marketing campaign that put a significant deal with affordability and New York Metropolis's excessive price of residing. It was fueled by a grassroots military of supporters and backing from prime nationwide progressive champions, together with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Mamdani made sensible use of social media platforms, together with TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating fares to experience New York Metropolis's huge bus system, making CUNY (Metropolis College of New York) "tuition-free," freezing rents on municipal housing, providing "free childcare" for kids as much as age 5 and establishing government-run grocery shops.

Mamdani has been closely criticized by his rivals for his previous crucial feedback of the New York Metropolis Police Division (NYPD), and his proposal to shift sure tasks away from the NYPD and deal with social providers and community-based program.

Hochul said that in her conversations with Mamdani she made "it very clear that our law enforcement officials ought to have each useful resource to maintain our streets and subways secure. I urged him to make sure that there's robust management on the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed."

The governor additionally addressed Mamdani's previous crucial feedback about Israel.

"We mentioned the necessity to fight the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally. I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders throughout town, listening and addressing their issues straight," Hochul stated.

Hochul's endorsement could not solely profit Mamdani, however might additionally assist the governor shore up assist from the Democrats' progressive base as she seeks re-election subsequent yr.

Mamdani praised Hochul for her deal with tackling affordability.

"I look ahead to combating alongside her to proceed her monitor report of placing a reimbursement in New Yorkers’ pockets and constructing a safer and stronger New York Metropolis the place nobody is compelled to depart simply to allow them to afford to boost a household," he stated.

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However Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a prime Trump ally who is anticipated later this yr to launch a 2026 run for governor, took goal at Hochul.

"On the precise second when New Yorkers are searching for robust management from their Governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York making it much less inexpensive and extra harmful - as soon as once more placing criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST," Stefanik argued in a press release.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter primarily based within the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the marketing campaign path from coast to coast."