Gov. Kathy Hochuls high-stakes endorsement of democratic socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the November mayoral race backfired almost immediately when Mamdani refused to return the favor for her re-election bid.
Less than 24 hours after Hochul claimed to have found common ground with Mamdani on affordability and publicly backed his insurgent candidacy, the Queens lawmaker brushed off questions about supporting her in 2026.
My focus is on November, Mamdani told reporters. Its premature to ask about the thing beyond the thing.
The snub has sent shockwaves through New Yorks political world. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), a GOP challenger to Hochul, pounced: Even Mamdani refuses to support Kathy Hochul less than 24 hours after she endorsed him!
Veteran Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf said the exchange underscored Hochuls vulnerability. No good deed goes unpunished. Hochul looks weak, he told the New York Post. Mamdani looks like the head of the Democratic Party in New York, not the governor. This shows the power shift.
Grassroots activists also piled on. Yiatin Chu of the Asian Wave Alliance wrote on X: Hochul got played. Mamdani got Hochuls endorsement. Like sharks, DSA smells blood.
The governors decision to bless Mamdanis campaign stunned many Democrats, especially in the suburbs and upstate where his brand of socialism is politically toxic. State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, a Hochul ally, flatly said he will not back Mamdani.
The rupture is particularly striking given the pairs history. Last year, Mamdani excoriated Hochul after she quipped that New York would obliterate Canada if attacked, and for condemning Hamas over the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel. Mamdani accused her of justifying genocide.
Now, the balance of power within New Yorks Democratic Party appears to be tilting. Mamdanis coalition of Democratic Socialists and young voters propelled him past former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Junes primary and could be decisive for Hochuls own re-election prospects.
Zohran holds the cards, one Democratic insider said. Hochul needs Mamdanis turnout operation in New York City to win next year.
Hochuls campaign brushed aside the flap, saying endorsements would be rolled out in the coming months. But for now, her gamble has left her looking isolated and stupid.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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