New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has endorsed far-left Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race.
After three months of silence, Hochul is now throwing her weight behind a radical candidate who has openly attacked police, pushed communist communal homes schemes, and made controversial remarks about Israel.
In a Sunday evening post on social media, Hochul declared:
“New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani.”
The move is a major boost for Mamdani, the 33-year-old Democratic Socialist from Queens.
Mamdani shocked the political establishment in June by defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other rivals to capture the Democrat nomination.
He now holds a commanding double-digit lead in the polls ahead of November.
Mamdani’s Radical Platform
Mamdani’s campaign has centered on sweeping progressive promises: eliminating bus fares, making CUNY tuition-free, freezing rents on municipal housing, offering “free childcare” through age five, and even establishing government-run grocery stores.
The Ugandan-born state lawmaker, who would become the city’s first Muslim and millennial mayor if elected, was propelled by grassroots organizing and endorsements from prominent socialists Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
But his past comments about the NYPD and Israel continue to spark backlash.
Mamdani has criticized the police force and proposed shifting responsibilities away from officers to social services, a position Hochul herself pressed him to walk back.
“I made it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe,” Hochul admitted about their conversations.
“I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed.”
On Israel, Hochul said she confronted Mamdani over his prior remarks, noting she was “glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city” amid rising anti-Semitism.
Hochul Under Fire
Hochul’s embrace of Mamdani is raising eyebrows even within her own party, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) still withholding their endorsements.
For Hochul, the move may be as much about shoring up progressive support for her own re-election bid as it is about helping Mamdani.
But Republicans blasted the decision.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a top Trump ally and expected 2026 gubernatorial contender, issued a blistering statement:
“At the exact moment when New Yorkers are looking for strong leadership from their Governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York, making it less affordable and more dangerous — once again putting criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST.”
A Shifting Race
Polls show Mamdani leading Cuomo by more than 20 points, while Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee, trails in third place.
Embattled incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent, lags even further behind.
However, Adams insists rumors he will drop out are “complete bulls**t.”
Despite Mamdani’s controversial record, the Democrats’ full embrace of his candidacy signals a sharp leftward turn in New York City politics.
For conservatives, Hochul’s endorsement is just the latest reminder of a party that continues to elevate socialism over safety, affordability, and common sense.
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