NEW YORK – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is refusing to back Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor, despite his public praise for her and his position as the party’s official candidate.
During a recent appearance on Fox News, Hochul declined to back Mamdani directly. Instead, she emphasized her willingness to work with “whoever the voters elect,” pointing to her past cooperation with multiple mayors.
Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a press announcement to unveil the path to unpausing congestion pricing. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
While she agreed with Mamdani’s emphasis on affordability, she stopped short of embracing his broader progressive agenda.
Mamdani, a self-identified Democratic socialist, has proposed bold policies such as raising taxes on millionaires and corporations to fund subsidized child care, free public buses, affordable housing, and state-run grocery stores. These positions have clashed with Hochul’s more moderate fiscal stance. While Mamdani has credited Hochul for standing up to former President Trump during national redistricting fights, the feeling does not appear mutual.
NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference outside of the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building. Mamdani addressed Independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo’s cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the upcoming
Mamdani’s rent-stabilized apartment
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Independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo has also seized the moment to criticize Mamdani. Speaking during the Dominican Day Parade, Cuomo called out Mamdani for living in a rent-stabilized apartment in Queens. He argued that such units should be reserved for low-income residents, not for “the children of millionaires,” and floated a proposal he’s dubbed “Zohran’s Law,” which would restrict rent-stabilized housing eligibility.
Mamdani’s camp responded swiftly, accusing Cuomo of hypocrisy and deflection. A spokesperson for Mamdani slammed Cuomo for the state spending $60 million on his personal legal defense, arguing that the money could instead be used to fund thousands of affordable housing units.
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Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Five Boroughs Against Trump’ tour
Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee, launched a “Five Boroughs Against Trump” tour in the Big Apple on Monday, as President Donald Trump’s agenda takes center stage on the New York City campaign trail. FOX 5 NY’s Lisa Evers has the story.
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Unfazed, Mamdani continues to build momentum.
He kicked off a week-long tour titled “Five Boroughs Against Trump,” spotlighting what he calls the Trump administration’s harmful policies toward working-class New Yorkers, immigrants and the healthcare system. He’s expected to be joined by several key local Democrats during the events.
Who’s already endorsed Mamdani? 
S.E. Cupp breaks down NYC mayoral race with national stakes
S.E. Cupp explains how the New York City mayoral race, being led by progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani is becoming a national flashpoint. With Donald Trump weighing in and Democrats split between old-guard moderates and rising leftist energy, the contest could reshape the future of the party.
While Hochul holds back, Mamdani has already secured endorsements from progressive heavyweights and New York power players:
- Sen. Bernie Sanders
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams
- Rep. Jerry Nadler
- Rep. Nydia Velázquez
- Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman
- NYC Comptroller Brad Lander
Whether Hochul eventually joins that list, or continues to keep her distance, remains a key question in a race that’s dividing Democrats across the ideological spectrum.