New York Governor Kathy Hochul has formally endorsed socialist Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City.

With less than two months until the election, Hochul penned an endorsement for the Democratic candidate in The New York Times on Sunday.

She disclosed she had discussed various policies and his contentious views, particularly on antisemitism and his past support for the defund the police movement, with Mamdani.

‘We’ve had our disagreements. But in our conversations, I heard a leader who is committed to a New York where children feel safe in their neighborhoods and every family has access to opportunities,’ Hochul stated.

Hochul’s endorsement aligns with a strong declaration from mayor Eric Adams’ office, dismissing online rumors as ‘complete bulls**t’, which falsely suggested he planned to exit the race this week.

Despite their ‘frank discussions,’ Hochul has come to recognize Mamdani as a leader who shares her priorities, particularly focusing on making New York City more affordable.

In her endorsement, Hochul emphasized her desire to back a candidate who would firmly oppose directives from President Donald Trump and Washington, prioritizing the needs of New Yorkers.

‘Given the harmful and destructive policies emerging from Washington daily, I needed assurance that the next mayor wouldn’t concede an inch to Donald Trump,’ she explained.

New York governor Kathy Hochul has formally endorsed socialist Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City

With less than two months until the election, Hochul penned an endorsement for the Democratic candidate in The New York Times on Sunday

She said New York was in need of a leader who could put aside minor differences in order to fight back against Trump alongside her. 

Hochul wrote that she and Mamdani are aligned in their commitment to be ‘fearless in confronting the president’s extreme agenda — with urgency, conviction, and the defiance that defines New York. 

‘We must never allow Mr. Trump to control our city like the king he wants to be. Anyone who accepts his tainted influence, or benefits from it, is compromised from the start.’

Her comments appeared to be an apparent reference to Trump’s relationships with several of the contenders running against Mamdani for mayor.

He is going head-to-head with current mayor Eric Adams, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

There were reports earlier this month that Trump’s advisors were considering offering roles to both Adams and Sliwa in an effort to bolster the conservative vote behind Cuomo.

Both Adams and Cuomo have longstanding relationships with the president.

Rumors were swirling that Adams was prepared to drop out of the race as early as this week, but his office put the whispers to bed on Sunday in a defiant statement to Long Island News 12, writing: ‘Eric Adams is in this race to win it, and no amount of fake chatter or political spin will change that.

She revealed she had spoken with Mamdani about his policies and most controversial opinions, including surrounding antisemitism and the defund the police movement he once supported

Hochul’s endorsement comes despite her past relationship with former Governor and mayoral contender Andrew Cuomo

‘These lies are being spread by desperate opponents who can’t match the mayor’s record, his campaign energy, or his support across this city.’ 

In spite of the experience of his opponents, Mamdani is the frontrunner after nabbing the Democratic nomination from Cuomo, who is now running as an independent.

He is also firmly on the outs with Trump, who branded the 33-year-old a ‘communist lunatic’ after he cinched the Democratic nomination.

‘Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,’ Trump wrote in a Truth Social post at the time.

Mamdani described himself as ‘Donald Trump‘s worst nightmare’ in the Democratic debate, noting he is ‘a progressive, Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things I believe in.’

Hochul slammed Trump for ‘killing jobs’ in the city and for his global tariff policies, as well as his cuts to Medicaid and food assistance.

She also criticized his recent threats to federally take over New York and send in the National Guard in an effort to reduce crime in Democrat-held cities.

She said she has long believed that the New York governor should work hand in hand with the mayor of the day in New York City for ‘the betterment of the 8.3 million residents we both represent.’

Hochul also worked closely with Eric Adams in his role as Mayor, pictured together on September 1 at the West Indian Day Parade

Hochul’s endorsement coincides with a defiant message from the office of mayor Eric Adams denying ‘complete bulls**t’ emerging online suggesting he was prepared to drop out of the race this week

Hochul said she ‘devoted a great deal of thought’ to her endorsement leading up to her announcement, and warned Mamdani of several non-negotiable ideals she holds.

But Mamdani has sparked controversy for his vocal support of Palestine and previous support for the ‘defund the police’ movement.

Hochul said she had spoken to Mamdani about his commitment to the NYPD and giving police officers the resources they need to keep the streets of New York safe.

She also said the pair had addressed rising antisemitism in America and that they’d agreed to work together to combat the crisis ‘urgently and unequivocally.’ 

Hochul praised Mamdani for taking the time to meet with Jewish leaders to listen to their concerns and shape his policy.

Hochul admitted she and Mamdani still aren’t aligned on every issue, but she has endorsed him because she believes he ‘has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment.’