New York Governor Hochul endorses Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayoral race 

New York (Web Desk/Agencies): New York Governor Kathy Hochul has endorsed Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, giving the 33-year-old Muslim politician a powerful boost as his campaign continues to gain ground.

In an opinion article published in the New York Times, Hochul reflected on her decision, writing: “In the four years since I took office, one of my foundational beliefs has been the importance of the office of New York governor working hand in hand with the mayor of New York City for the betterment of the 8.3 million residents we both represent.”

She added: “The question of who will be the next mayor is one I take extremely seriously and to which I have devoted a great deal of thought. Tonight I am endorsing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.”

She followed up the column with a post on X, declaring: “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to (President) Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani.”

Mamdani welcomed the announcement, responding on X: “I’m grateful for the Governor’s support in unifying our party, her resolve in standing up to Trump, and her focus on making New York affordable. I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together. Our movement is only growing stronger.”

Hochul’s move indicates that centrist Democrats, many of whom had initially been cautious about Mamdani’s candidacy, may now be warming to his run. Mamdani clinched the Democratic primary in June by defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo, the establishment choice, campaigning on a progressive agenda to freeze rents, establish a $30 minimum wage, and raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers.

With a message centered on change and a savvy use of social media, Mamdani energized thousands of new voters. Current polling suggests he is comfortably ahead of Cuomo, now running as an independent, as well as Mayor Eric Adams—also standing as an independent—and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Although Hochul had previously resisted endorsing anyone, telling reporters in June: “Obviously, there’s areas of difference in our positions,” her recent meetings with Mamdani seem to have reshaped her stance. Preparing for her own re-election campaign next year, Hochul recently aired her first ad, portraying herself as a no-nonsense “fighter” prepared to take on Donald Trump.

Mamdani’s success has energized a new wave of progressives, with more than 10,000 people reportedly considering runs for office. His campaign has already attracted notable support from figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Chris Van Hollen, who was born in Pakistan.

Even so, several leading Democrats remain silent. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have withheld endorsements, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has also not taken a position. Schumer, a staunch supporter of Israel, stands apart from Mamdani, who has been vocal in calling Israel’s war in Gaza a genocide, echoing human rights groups including some based in Israel.

Mamdani has also pledged that if elected, he would instruct the NYPD to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit the city.

Speaking to the New York Times, he labeled Netanyahu a war criminal responsible for genocide in Gaza, insisting that if the Israeli leader entered New York, he would enforce the International Criminal Court’s warrant by having him detained at the airport.