Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) declined to endorse state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani after he won the New York City Democratic primary for mayor, acknowledging they have “areas of difference.”
Hochul disagrees with Mamdani’s plan to raise taxes on the rich to pay for his plans as mayor, such as free child care and buses. Her affordability agenda has focused on keeping taxes low for New Yorkers.
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“The election just completed. I had a chance to call and congratulate him on Tuesday’s primary and look forward to having a conversation [with him],” Hochul said. “Obviously, there’s areas of difference in our positions, but I also think we’re going to have those conversations.”
.@GovKathyHochul says she’s not ready to endorse @ZohranKMamdani for mayor, still has ?? about his policy ideas & differences of opinion. Adds she still needs to work w/ @NYCMayor. Still a “no” on taxing the rich.
— Bernadette Hogan (@bern_hogan) June 26, 2025
Adds Mamdani’s win on affordability is good for her next year! pic.twitter.com/oJjsABpcJ4
Hochul suggested that the general election would determine who she would work with, though the Democrat in New York City’s mayoral election has won every election since 2013. New York City Mayor Eric Adams will be Mamdani’s chief rival in the race, along with Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden.
“In the meantime, I truly am not focused on the politics. We’re six months away from Inauguration Day, and that will determine who I’m working with for the next four years, and that’s important to do what I’m doing. I’m focusing on affordability,” Hochul continued.
She declined to elaborate further, saying she’s focused on working with Adams during the recent heat wave that has strained the city’s energy systems.
Hochul congratulated Mamdani after his victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, capturing 43.5% of the vote versus Cuomo’s 36.4% with 93% of the vote counted. The final ranked choice tabulation will be next week.
“Today, voters made their voices heard, demanding a more affordable, more livable New York City. I hear them loud and clear. @ZohranKMamdani built a formidable grassroots coalition, and I look forward to speaking with him in the days ahead about his ideas on how to ensure a safe, affordable, and livable New York City,” Hochul wrote in a post on X.
Hochul opposed Mamdani before he triumphed over Cuomo in the Democratic primary. She said in a TV interview that she disagreed with Mamdani’s plan to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers in addition to the corporate tax rate.
“I’m not raising taxes at a time where affordability is the big issue,” Hochul told PIX 11. “I don’t want to lose any more people to Palm Beach. We’ve lost enough.”
WHO IS ZOHRAN MAMDANI, THE SOCIALIST CANDIDATE CHALLENGING ERIC ADAMS TO BE NYC MAYOR?
Though it’s possible Hochul prefers Mamdani to Cuomo, who was forced out of office after a sexual harassment scandal that installed her as governor, Mamdani is a socialist with a history of bucking establishment politicians such as Hochul.
However, if Mamdani is elected mayor of New York City in November, the pair will have to learn to work together.