New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced her support for Democratic Party candidate for New York City mayor, Zahran Mamdani.
In an article published in The New York Times, Hochul explained that during her four years as governor, “one of my core beliefs has been the importance of cooperation between my office and the Mayor of New York City to improve the lives of the 8.3 million residents we represent together.” She added that choosing the next mayor is a matter she takes very seriously and has devoted significant time and effort to, stating: “I support the candidacy of Assembly member Zahran Mamdani.”
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She noted that her decision followed candid, in-depth conversations with him over the past few months, adding: “We had disagreements, but I listened to a leader who shares my commitment to New York—a city where children can grow up safely in their neighborhoods and where opportunities are available to every family. I also listened to a leader determined to make the city accessible to all, a goal I enthusiastically support.”
Hochul revealed that she discussed her priorities with Mamdani, including the need for police to have sufficient resources to maintain safety on the streets and in the subway, emphasizing that she “urged him to ensure strong leadership at the top of the NYPD, and he agreed.”
She also addressed the urgent issue of rising antisemitism, expressing satisfaction that he meets with Jewish leaders across the city and listens to their concerns directly. Hochul said she looks forward to working with him to ensure that all New Yorkers of different faiths feel safe and included.
She added: “I emphasized my belief in the importance of retaining and attracting businesses so that New York remains a center of the global economy and we can create more well-paying jobs.”
Hochul explained that affordability has always been a top priority for her as governor, a concern she shares with Mamdani, saying: “I have taken steps to achieve this, including reducing middle-class income taxes and providing free school meals for all students. But there is still much work to do.”
In this context, she stressed her desire to ensure that the next mayor would not be “even slightly beholden to former President Trump,” noting that “the hateful and destructive policies emanating daily from Washington” make strong leadership essential.
She affirmed that her conversations with Mamdani are ongoing, but she is confident he possesses “the courage, persistence, and optimism needed to lead New York at this critical juncture.” Hochul added that her personal experiences have informed this decision: “When I walk the streets, ride the subway, or attend religious services, I meet New Yorkers who love their city, yet despite their hard work, feel they cannot afford to live here.”
She recounted her family’s story, explaining that her parents started their married life in a mobile home near Buffalo, raising six children on a tight budget. Her mother bought clothes on installment plans or from second-hand stores, while the family relied on simple frozen meals. She said: “These experiences will never leave me, and I know families cannot wait another year or even another month—they need immediate action now.”
Hochul criticized President Trump’s policies since taking office in January, saying he “destroyed jobs, negatively impacted our economy with tariffs that raised living costs, attacked healthcare and food assistance programs, cut federal funding that New York relies on, and threatened to seize the city—all while trying to assert control over local elections.”
Kathy Hochul: “New York needs leaders who stand up to Trump and resist him. Mamdani and I will face his extremist agenda fearlessly.”
She added: “For this reason, New York needs leaders who stand up to Trump and resist him. Mamdani and I will face his extremist agenda fearlessly, and we will fight this battle with the determination and resilience that define our city.”
Hochul emphasized that throughout her career, she has embraced a “spirit of the happy warrior” and the determination to succeed despite challenges, the same spirit she sees in Mamdani.
She concluded: “Some may see Mamdani and me as an unlikely alliance: a governor from Buffalo and a young local council member from Queens. But that is the beauty of this moment. What New Yorkers need now is not grudges, but firm resolve to fight. We do not agree on everything, and I will always reserve the right to disagree, but I am confident that New York is stronger when we stand united against those who try to divide us. For these reasons, I announce my support for Zahran Mamdani in the upcoming New York mayoral election, and I look forward to working with him to ensure a better future for the city.”
