By Hank Russell
In an opinion piece in The Nation, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that he will endorse Kathy Hochul for governor as she seeks reelection.
The endorsement comes as no surprise, since Hochul decided to endorse Mamdani in his race for mayor over fellow Democrat Andrew Cuomo, whom Hochul succeeded and with whom she served as his lieutenant governor.
The relationship between Hochul and Mamdani seemed pretty close last month when the governor arrived in New York City to announce that the state is providing $1 billion in funding for universal childcare. As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, universal childcare will be available to all children in New York State under five years old and free childcare to two-year-olds in New York City. While Hochul explained what the program entails, who will be eligible and how much the state will invest in these programs, she did not explain how it will be paid for.
Mamdani called universal childcare “one of the largest expansions of the social safety net in our city’s history” and a program “as consequential a policy victory as our movement has seen in quite some time. … We delivered this historic win together.”
He also marked other issues that they worked together on. “Together, we have fought to protect New Yorkers from ICE,” he wrote. “Together, we have defended our party, our democracy, and the ability of working New Yorkers to raise a family in the city they love. 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.”
But the sticking point for both has been raising taxes on the rich. Mamdani has constantly said the city’s top earners “can afford to pay just a little bit more,” but, in an interview with News 4 New York, Hochul said, “I don’t believe in taxing for the sake of taxing. Never have, never will.”
Mamdani mentioned the disagreement with Hochul on this matter. “The governor and I do not agree on everything,” Mamdani wrote. “We have real differences, particularly when it comes to taxation of the wealthiest, at a moment defined by profound income inequality.”
Despite their differences, Mamdani said Hochul is worthy of another term. “New Yorkers deserve leaders who believe in transformation. Leaders who understand that hope is inspired by a vision, and sustained by change. Governor Kathy Hochul has earned my endorsement because she has chosen to govern in that spirit. And in this moment, that choice matters.”
“From day one, my focus has been on delivering for New York families, making our state a place where kids can grow up safe and where families have every opportunity to thrive,” Hochul said. “Mayor Mamdani understands that we need to build a New York that everyone can afford — I’m grateful for his partnership in finally bringing universal child care to New York, and I know that he’ll stand strong alongside me as we fight against Donald Trump’s attacks on this state.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is challenging Hochul for governor, said Hochul “cut a secret deal” to get Mamdani’s endorsement.
“Was it higher taxes to fill his budget gaps? Closing prisons and letting criminals back on the street? Pushing a big government socialist agenda that threatens private property and puts government in control of your home? Whatever the deal was, hardworking men and women are the ones who will pay the price.”