Mamdani pens op-ed endorsing Hochul in 2026 gov race

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has officially thrown his support behind Governor Kathy Hochul for re-election, citing a new era of cooperation and progress between City Hall and Albany. In an article published in The Nation, Mamdani highlighted the productive partnership he has developed with Hochul, despite their differences on certain issues.

Mamdani commended Hochul for her commitment to transformation and change, emphasizing their joint efforts to expand universal child care and protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. He praised Hochul for defending the social safety net and infrastructure projects in the face of threats from the federal government.

Acknowledging that they do not see eye to eye on every issue, Mamdani admitted that he and Hochul have real differences, particularly when it comes to taxing the wealthy. While Mamdani advocates for tax hikes to fund his agenda and address the city’s budget deficit, Hochul has made it clear that she is not in favor of raising taxes before the upcoming election.

Hochul expressed gratitude for Mamdani’s endorsement, stating that she looks forward to continuing their partnership to address affordability, public safety, and challenges posed by the previous administration. The endorsement comes at a crucial time as Hochul gears up to face a primary challenge from her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, who is running to the left of her.

In response to the endorsement, the state GOP committee criticized what they perceive as a shift towards radical leftism within the Democratic Party in New York. They urged voters to support Bruce Blakeman, the likely Republican challenger to Hochul, as a check against Mamdani and Hochul’s perceived radicalism.

Hochul, who assumed office in 2021 and won her first full term in 2022, is now seeking re-election with Mamdani’s endorsement adding weight to her campaign. The partnership between the two leaders symbolizes a departure from the contentious relationships between previous administrations in both City Hall and Albany, signaling a new era of collaboration and progress for New York.