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Kathy Hochul Bends to Socialist Left, Endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York Mayor [WATCH]

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed [1] Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani for mayor in a guest essay published Sunday night in the New York Times, marking a sharp political shift that has already drawn strong reactions across the state.

“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,” Hochul wrote.

“Tonight I am endorsing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.”

The Post first reported that Hochul was expected to back Mamdani hours before the official announcement.

The governor explained that her decision came after “frank conversations” with the candidate, acknowledging their disagreements but ultimately choosing to endorse him.

“In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements,” Hochul wrote.

“But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”

Hochul said the two discussed affordability, law enforcement leadership at the NYPD, and addressing rising antisemitism across the city.

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

Mamdani responded by thanking the governor for her support.

“Governor Hochul has made affordability the centerpiece of her work. I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family,” he said.

He also praised Hochul’s role in “standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare.”

Party insiders suggested Hochul’s endorsement could prompt other Democratic leaders to line up behind Mamdani, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“This puts tremendous pressure on Jeffries and everyone who hasn’t endorsed Mamdani yet,” one source told The Post.

Still, the move is not without risk.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, polls poorly in suburban areas where Republicans are already using his candidacy to attack Democrats.

In 2021, Hochul notably refused to endorse socialist candidate India Walton after she defeated Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown in the Democratic primary. Brown went on to win reelection as a write-in candidate.

Democratic strategists said Hochul’s decision reflects mounting pressure from progressives ahead of her own reelection campaign.

A party official told The Post, “She needs to get the city vote out to survive. It’s toxic for Hochul in the suburbs.”

Democratic operative Ken Frydman described the endorsement as “a double-edged sword.”

He explained, “Mamdani’s return endorsement would cut both ways for Hochul. It would help her in New York City, but hurt in mid-state, upstate and in downstate suburbs. Hochul’s scared to death of the DSA tag and should be.”

Another insider suggested that Hochul’s move was also aimed at preventing her former boss, Andrew Cuomo, from returning to office as mayor.

Republicans quickly condemned Hochul’s endorsement.

Curtis Sliwa, the GOP candidate for mayor, issued a statement through campaign spokesperson Daniel Kurzyna: “The worst governor in America just endorsed the worst candidate for mayor. They deserve each other. New Yorkers see through the backroom politics and know Curtis Sliwa is fighting for them, not the insiders.”

Rep. Elise Stefanik was equally critical.

“As I always said, it was only a matter of time before the Worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul would bend the knee to the Communist Antisemite Zohran Mamdani,” she said.

Stefanik added that Hochul “owns every [Mamdani] radical position like defunding the police, releasing violent criminals on our streets, closing local small businesses in favor of government grocery stores, massive tax hikes, abolishing border law enforcement, and every heinous pro-Hamas antisemitic position.”

Radio host and supermarket owner John Catsimatidis called Hochul’s move “spineless,” while Republican attorney general candidate Michael Henry posted on X, “He’s 33 and he’s never had a real job. Just admit you are endorsing him out of fear.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, “Governor Hochul’s endorsement of Communist and antiSemite Mamdani for Mayor of NYC is a betrayal of all the freedom-loving residents of New York State.

Both my parents were World War II veterans and they would be embarrassed to have a Governor of their state embrace such an anti-American candidate.”

Jewish leaders also voiced concerns. Brooklyn Councilman Simcha Felder said he would not consider supporting Hochul after the endorsement.

Brooklyn Assemblyman Simcha Eisenstein questioned whether Mamdani had addressed the fears of visible Jews in New York City, remarking, “Did I miss it?”

Hochul’s decision has now ignited a wave of political reaction, highlighting the sharp divides within her own party and fueling Republican attacks heading into the next election cycle.