New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a notable pro-Palestinian advocate, for the mayoral seat in New York City ahead of the critical November elections. This endorsement comes following private discussions with Mamdani, who triumphed in the Democratic primary in May, showcasing a strong commitment to a New York where safety and opportunity prevail for every community. Governor Hochul expressed her full support for Mamdani’s vision of making New York City more affordable, aligning with her own agenda.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old left-wing politician, won a decisive 56.4% of the votes in the primary, surpassing former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Despite his loss, Cuomo, known for his pro-Israel stance and his legal advocacy for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amidst war crimes allegations in Gaza, has decided to continue his campaign, reflecting an ongoing division within the Democratic Party.
Recent polls indicate Mamdani leading with a substantial 22-point advantage among New York voters. However, some Democratic leaders, including US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have been hesitant to fully back him. Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized his party colleagues for not supporting Mamdani, accusing them of “spineless politics.”
Mamdani has campaigned with progressive figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Pramila Jayapal, yet the endorsement from a centrist like Hochul is significant yet belated, coming just two months before the November 4th election.
Mamdani expressed gratitude for Hochul’s support, praising her commitment to unifying the party and her focus on affordability in New York. He also commended her stance against former President Trump, who has also commented on the race, suggesting that Mamdani’s lead in polls indicates a “rebellion against bad candidates” and referring to him as “my little communist mayor.”
The race for New York City’s mayor continues to draw national attention, with Quinnipiac University polls showing Mamdani with a significant lead over his rivals. Despite Trump’s dismissal of Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Eric Adams’ struggle, the election outcome remains influential for the political dynamics in the United States and beyond.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/15/new-york-governor-hochul-endorses-zohran-mamdani-for-mayor-amid-poll-surge?traffic_source=rss
