New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday endorsed Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, nearly three months after his upset win in the party primary, saying the city needs a leader who will confront former President Donald Trump and make life more affordable for residents.
Hochul posted on social media, "New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani." In a separate post for the New York Times, she said she and Mamdani had "frank conversations" and that she heard "a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family."
Hochul's endorsement is being viewed within party circles as a step toward consolidating establishment support behind Mamdani and could increase pressure on two top New York Democrats — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — who have not publicly backed the nominee. Mamdani, 33, a Ugandan-born state lawmaker from Queens who identifies as a democratic socialist, said he was "grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare."
Mamdani captured the Democratic nomination in June with a strong turnout among younger and progressive voters, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and several other contenders. Polling released in recent weeks from Quinnipiac University, The New York Times/Siena College and Emerson University with The Hill showed Mamdani holding double-digit leads over Cuomo and the rest of the field in the citywide race.
As a candidate, Mamdani has proposed a series of progressive measures aimed at addressing affordability in the city, including eliminating bus fares, making the City University of New York system tuition-free, freezing rents on municipal housing, expanding free childcare up to age 5 and establishing government-run grocery stores. His campaign relied on a grassroots organizing effort and significant engagement on social media platforms.
Mamdani has drawn criticism from rivals and some voters for past remarks about the New York City Police Department and for comments about Israel. Hochul said she made clear in their conversations that police should have "every resource to keep our streets and subways safe" and that she urged him to ensure there is "strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed." She also said they discussed combating the rise of antisemitism and that Mamdani has met with Jewish leaders to address concerns directly.
The general election field includes Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who polled a distant third in some surveys, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after skipping the Democratic primary. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is also mounting an independent bid. Media reports have said advisers to former President Donald Trump discussed potential administration roles with Sliwa and Adams if they were to exit the mayoral contest; the campaigns involved have continued to say they intend to remain in the race.
Hochul's endorsement could also have implications for her own political standing. Party strategists noted the support may help her appeal to progressive voters as she prepares for a re-election campaign next year.
The endorsement drew sharp criticism from some Republicans. Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a top Trump ally, called Mamdani a "raging Communist" and accused Hochul of embracing a candidate she said would make the city "less affordable and more dangerous." Stefanik's statement framed the exchange as a broader partisan dispute over city governance and public safety.
With the general election months away, Mamdani enters the fall campaign as the Democratic frontrunner with formal backing from the state’s top executive, a development that could reshape fundraising, messaging and endorsements in a closely watched contest for the nation's largest city.
