Moderator Presses Mamdani On Hochul Snub As He Fumbles Praise For Her Job

A moderator at a mayoral debate on Thursday pressed socialist democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani for not endorsing Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

In September, Mamdani dodged endorsing Hochul for reelection. This was shortly after Hochul released an op-ed in The New York Times endorsing Mamdani. During the debate, the moderator asked the three candidates to raise their hands if they would endorse Hochul. None responded.

“It’s a decision that should be made after this general election,” Mamdani said.

“So no decision?” the moderator asked before turning to independent candidate and former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo said voters should know who’s running in the governor’s race before they cast a ballot. Mamdani jumped in and attempted to praise Hochul and her work. (RELATED: Mamdani Does Not Deny Cuomo’s Accusation That He Skipped Voting For Kamala In 2024)

“I would add that I do think that Kathy Hochul, our governor, has been doing a good job in not only serving and delivering, not only delivering for New Yorkers but also standing up to Donald Trump,” Mamdani said.

“Do you support her for re-election?” the moderator asked.

As Cuomo was seen urging Mamdani to endorse Hochul, Mamdani continued to say he is “focusing on November.”

WATCH:

“Why don’t you endorse her?” Cuomo asked.

“I appreciate her support, and I appreciate her work,” Mamdani shot back.

Mamdani sidestepped endorsing Hochul in an interview on Sept. 16, telling the Daily News his focus will remain “on November,” adding he is “excited to have the governor’s support in that fight for November as we make it clear that we can put the days of City Hall and Albany being at war in the past.”

Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani comes months after leaders like House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have yet to officially back the socialist Democrat. In her op-ed, Hochul wrote that while the two had their “disagreements,” she shared his “priorities” on issues like keeping the city safe, affordability and the rise of antisemitism.

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

“I didn’t leave my conversations with Mr. Mamdani aligned with him on every issue,” Hochul added. “But I am confident that he has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment.”

With less than 30 days until New York City’s mayoral election, polls show Mamdani in the lead. A Fox News survey of registered NYC voters on Thursday reported Mamdani at 49% support, Cuomo at 28%, and Republican Curtis Sliwa at 13%.

If elected in November, Mamdani said he plans to implement policies like raising the minimum wage to $30, launching government-run grocery stores and taxing “richer and whiter” neighborhoods.

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