Mayor Zohran Mamdani officially endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul for re-election Thursday – arguing the two have “forged a new era” after the “pettiness” that damaged the relationship between City Hall and Albany.
The Democratic socialist crowed about his “model” partnership with the more moderate Hochul in the lefty publication The Nation, offering her some progressive weight despite acknowledging the pair “do not agree on everything.”
“New Yorkers deserve leaders who believe in transformation. Leaders who understand that hope is inspired by a vision, and sustained by change,” Mamdani wrote.
“Governor Kathy Hochul has earned my endorsement because she has chosen to govern in that spirit.”
Mamdani highlighted city and state quickly working to help expand universal child care and fighting to counter US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s effort to deport illegal migrants.
Hizzoner argued that together, the two leaders “have defended our party, our democracy.”
“As we face threats from Washington, she has defended our social safety net and protected funding for critical infrastructure projects,” he wrote about Democrat Hochul, without making direct mention of President Trump.
“And together, we have forged a new era in the relationship between Albany and City Hall after too many years defined by pettiness instead of productivity,” Mamdani wrote.
“At a moment of crisis, we chose a different path.”
Hochul and former Mayor Eric Adams had an up and down relationship over the past four years, while former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio were bitter rivals.
Still, Hochul and Mamdani have been miles apart on whether to raise taxes on the uber-wealthy, which Hizzoner acknowledged in his op-ed.
“The Governor and I do not agree on everything,” he wrote.
“We have real differences, particularly when it comes to taxation of the wealthiest, at a moment defined by profound income inequality.”
Mamdani has argued the tax hike is needed to pay for his freebie-filled agenda and patch up a $12 billion hole in the city’s budget. But Hochul has repeatedly made clear she won’t be increasing taxes, at least not ahead of the November election.
Hochul thanked Mamdani for the backing, writing on X, “I’m looking forward to our continued partnership to make New York City affordable, invest in public safety, and fight back against Trump.”
Hochul endorsed Mamdani for mayor after he emerged victorious in crowded Democratic primary in June, though Mamdani declined to return the favor when asked prior to Thursday.
His backing could prove useful as Hochul is set to face her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, who is running to the left of her in an expected primary.
The state GOP committee argued “the radical left’s takeover of New York Democrats is complete” in response to the endorsement, and encouraged voters to flock to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who will be Hochul’s likely Republican challenger.
“New Yorkers who want a check on Mamdani and Hochul’s radicalism have one choice: elect Bruce Blakeman Governor in November and vote Republican at all levels of government,” a NYGOP spokesperson said.
Hochul assumed the state’s top office in 2021, and won her first full term in 2022.
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