In a move that has shaken up New York politics just weeks before a pivotal election, Governor Kathy Hochul formally endorsed Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor on September 14, 2025. The endorsement, delivered in a New York Times op-ed and confirmed by multiple outlets including the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and The New York Post, marks a significant moment for both the Democratic Party and the city’s future leadership. But the aftermath has been anything but straightforward, as Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist and rising star in progressive circles, declined to return the favor by endorsing Hochul’s re-election bid for governor.
Hochul’s support came after months of speculation and behind-the-scenes discussions. As she wrote, “We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally. I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly.” According to JTA, Hochul’s decision was not made lightly; she described her months-long conversations with Mamdani as crucial to building the confidence needed to override their “disagreements.”
The endorsement is particularly noteworthy given the ideological distance between the two. Hochul, who describes herself as a “staunch capitalist” and supporter of Israel, had publicly criticized Mamdani as recently as July, saying he had “a lot of healing to do with the Jewish community.” Yet, by September, she was ready to throw her weight behind his candidacy, citing common ground on affordability and public safety. “I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed,” Hochul wrote, emphasizing their shared priorities of providing police with resources and hiring a strong police commissioner.
For Mamdani, the endorsement capped a remarkable rise from outsider status to frontrunner in the mayoral race. Polls cited by JTA and The New York Times have him on track for victory, with just 50 days left before the election. His ability to mobilize younger and first-time voters was key to his victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the June Democratic primary, according to The New York Post. Mamdani’s coalition, which includes the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has gained momentum, signaling a shift in the party’s internal power dynamics.
Yet, less than 24 hours after Hochul’s endorsement, Mamdani made headlines of his own—by refusing to endorse Hochul’s re-election bid for governor next year. “My focus is on November, and I’m excited to have the governor’s support in that fight for November,” Mamdani told reporters on September 15. When pressed about endorsing Hochul, he called it “premature to ask about the thing beyond the thing.” The apparent snub did not go unnoticed. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican likely to challenge Hochul for governor, seized on the moment, posting on X: “Even Mamdani refuses to support Kathy Hochul less than 24 hours after she endorsed him!”
Political strategists and party insiders quickly weighed in. Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran campaign strategist and Hochul critic, told The New York Post, “No good deed goes unpunished. Hochul looks weak. Mamdani looks like he’s the head of the Democratic Party in New York, not the governor. This shows the power shift. Mamdani and his movement are in charge.” Yiatin Chu, of the Asian Wave Alliance, echoed that sentiment, stating, “Hochul got played. Mamdani got Hochul’s endorsement. Like sharks, DSA smells blood.”
State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs, a Hochul ally and leader in Nassau County, added another twist by refusing to endorse Mamdani. According to The New York Post, Jacobs’ decision underscores the divisions within the party, as Mamdani’s brand of democratic socialism remains unpopular in many suburbs and upstate areas, and even in parts of the city.
The relationship between Hochul and Mamdani has not always been cordial. Last year, Mamdani sharply criticized Hochul over a speech in which she joked about obliterating Canada if it attacked New York while condemning Hamas for the October 7, 2023 assault on Israel. Posting Hochul’s remarks on X, Mamdani wrote, “Governor Hochul justifying genocide, while laughing. Disgusting.” Despite this antagonism, the two have found enough common ground—at least for now—to present a united front ahead of November’s mayoral election.
Mamdani’s evolution on certain issues has also been in the spotlight. During the Democratic primary, he declined to condemn the pro-Palestinian slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase that many pro-Palestinian activists say represents a nonviolent call for liberation, but which many Jewish leaders and others interpret as a call for violence against Jews. In recent months, Mamdani has repeatedly said he would “discourage” the use of the phrase and does not use it himself, often referencing a meeting with a rabbi that shifted his perspective. Hochul pointed to these changes as evidence of Mamdani’s willingness to listen and adapt.
Meanwhile, the broader Democratic establishment is grappling with what Mamdani’s rise means for the party’s future. One Democratic insider told The New York Post that Mamdani’s refusal to endorse Hochul “shows that the candidate and his leftist coalition that includes the DSA are gaining ground in the party.” The same source added, “Zohran holds the cards. Hochul needs Mamdani’s turnout operation in New York City to win re-election next year.”
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the June primary, offered his own perspective. “I was surprised that she endorsed him, but he didn’t endorse her,” Cuomo said on September 16. “I don’t think these endorsements mean anything.”
On the Republican side, Rep. Stefanik has not missed an opportunity to attack. After Hochul’s endorsement, she declared that the governor now owns “every radical position” of Mamdani’s, including what she called “every heinous pro-Hamas antisemitic position.” Stefanik’s criticism reflects the broader challenge Hochul faces in appealing to both the party’s progressive base and more moderate or conservative voters across the state.
Despite the drama, Hochul’s campaign appears to be playing the long game. A campaign representative told The New York Post that endorsements will be formally rolled out in the coming months, sidestepping the immediate controversy over Mamdani’s non-endorsement. Meanwhile, a Siena College poll released on September 16 showed Hochul leading Stefanik 52% to 27% among registered voters in a potential gubernatorial matchup. Republican sources, however, were quick to dismiss the poll, arguing that it over-sampled New York City residents and under-sampled Republicans.
As the November mayoral election draws near, the endorsement saga between Hochul and Mamdani has become a microcosm of the larger ideological battle within the Democratic Party. With both leaders needing each other’s supporters but wary of full alignment, New York’s political future looks as unpredictable—and as fascinating—as ever.
