New York Governor Kathy Hochul declined to commit to or reject Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposals for increasing taxes on the wealthy, offering a non-committal response when questioned about her alliance with the democratic socialist mayor.
Mamdani has been actively campaigning alongside Hochul in the final days of the 2026 election cycle. When asked if her campaign hinged on Mamdani's support, Hochul stated, "I will say this. A year ago I was out campaigning with the mayor. He has returned the favor and campaigned for me and I’m grateful for that." She added that there are "no quid pro clothes" for their mutual support and that she aims to foster a relationship with the mayor for the benefit of New Yorkers' confidence in government.
This stance marks a shift from Hochul's previous public statements. In July, she explicitly stated, "We should not be raising taxes on high-net-worth individuals," and "We should not be raising taxes on the companies that are creating the jobs and generating the revenue." Her recent remarks suggest a strategy to appeal to Mamdani's progressive base in New York City to bolster her re-election bid in Albany, while also attempting to balance this with appeal to more moderate voters upstate.
Hochul is currently leading her opponent, Bruce Blakeman, by approximately 14 points in recent polling. Her campaign has utilized Mamdani's involvement to energize younger urban voters, a demographic crucial for offsetting potential Republican support in upstate regions. Hochul has previously faced criticism for not sufficiently aiding down-ballot Democratic candidates in past elections.
The alliance has not been without friction. Hochul has been booed by some of Mamdani's supporters at joint appearances and acknowledged that many of them might not be entirely pleased with their political partnership. She noted to Politico Magazine that Mamdani's supporters may not be "thrilled when they see us standing together," but described him as "very pragmatic when it comes to getting things done."
Mamdani began campaigning with Hochul recently, participating in events and featuring in a television advertisement criticizing Blakeman. He credited Hochul's support for enabling his free childcare program. However, some within the Democratic Socialists of America have been critical of Hochul, with the party stating in May that her refusal to support Mamdani's tax proposals would lead to negative consequences for communities, accusing her of "cow[ing] to the donor class."
Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman has targeted Hochul's shifting positions on taxes in his campaign ads, asserting, "Hochul raised taxes before, she’ll raise them again. Only your vote for Bruce Blakeman will stop them."