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Kathy Hochul endorses Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor in surprise op-ed
By
Phil Corso
and
Catalina Gonella
Published Sep 14, 2025
Modified Sep 14, 2025
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Courtesy Gov. Kathy Hochul's office
By
Phil Corso
and
Catalina Gonella
Published Sep 14, 2025
Modified Sep 14, 2025
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Gov. Kathy Hochul is endorsing Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor, becoming the latest high-profile Democrat to back the party’s nominee.
In a guest essay published Sunday night in The New York Times, Hochul said she’s had “frank conversations” with Mamdani and stressed that while they don’t agree on everything, they share a vision for an affordable and safe New York.
“I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support,” Hochul wrote.
She also emphasized their shared commitment to “urgently and unequivocally” fighting antisemitism and keeping the city safe.
Mamdani, 33, defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the June primary and has since led in polling.
“Governor Hochul has made affordability the centerpiece of her work," Mamdani said in a statement on Sunday. "I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family."
He praised Hochul as a unifier for their party and highlighted her efforts to stand up to President Donald Trump, secure free school meals for children and expand access to childcare.
"There’s so much work left to do, and our movement is only growing stronger," he said.
Hochul’s endorsement follows weeks of pressure from progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, who criticized state Democratic leaders for not uniting behind Mamdani sooner.
He faces three challengers in the general election, including Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams, both running as independents, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. Adams has argued he’s the only candidate who can stop Mamdani, while Cuomo has called him “not a serious person,” and Sliwa has labeled him “too extreme for a city already on edge.”
In her guest essay, Hochul cast the race as a fight against Trump’s growing influence.
“Zohran Mamdani and I will both be fearless in confronting the president’s extreme agenda — with urgency, conviction, and the defiance that defines New York,” Hochul said.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Tagged
Politics
new york state
Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Catalina Gonella
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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