New York governor Kathy Hochul has endorsed Zohran Mamdani in his bid to become mayor of New York City, offering a significant boost to the democratic socialist’s campaign.
In an opinion piece for The New York Times, Hochul wrote: “In the four years since I took office, one of my foundational beliefs has been the importance of the office of New York governor working hand in hand with the mayor of New York City for the betterment of the 8.3 million residents we both represent. The question of who will be the next mayor is one I take extremely seriously and to which I have devoted a great deal of thought. Tonight I am endorsing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.”
In a post on X, the governor added, “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani.”
Mamdani welcomed the endorsement, saying he was grateful for Hochul’s support in “unifying our party”, her “resolve in standing up to Trump” and her “focus on making New York affordable”. He added: “I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together. Our movement is only growing stronger.”
The move suggests that centrist Democrats, some of whom had been cautious about Mamdani’s candidacy, may now be prepared to back the 33-year-old.
Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination in June, defeating establishment-backed Andrew Cuomo with a progressive platform that included a rent freeze, a $30 minimum wage and higher taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers. His campaign, driven by a message of change and a strong social media presence, mobilised thousands of new voters. Polling indicates he holds a comfortable lead over Cuomo, now running as an independent, as well as over incumbent mayor Eric Adams, also standing as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Hochul, the most senior Democrat in the state, had previously declined to endorse any candidate, citing “areas of difference” with Mamdani. However, following recent meetings between the two, she has now offered her backing. The governor, who faces re-election next year, launched her first campaign advertisement in late August, portraying herself as a “fighter” prepared to challenge Donald Trump.
Mamdani’s primary victory has inspired more than 10,000 progressives to consider running for office, according to an August report in The Guardian. His campaign has also attracted high-profile endorsements from figures such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Despite this, several senior Democrats remain uncommitted. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries have yet to declare their support, while Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, a staunch supporter of Israel, has also withheld an endorsement. Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, describing it as genocide, a view shared by numerous human rights organisations, including some based in Israel.
