Overview

• Zohran Mamdani declined to pledge support for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 bid after her endorsement, telling reporters it was premature to discuss “the thing beyond the thing.”
• Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is expected to endorse Mamdani on Wednesday, increasing pressure on Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, who have not publicly committed.
• Hochul defended her decision by saying she wants a mayor who will resist Trump’s influence, noting she is not aligned with Mamdani on every issue.
• Recent polls show Mamdani with a sizable lead in the multi-candidate field, including a Marist survey putting him at 45% to Andrew Cuomo’s 24%, Curtis Sliwa’s 17% and Eric Adams’ 9%.
• Democratic divisions persist as some moderates, including Rep. Tom Suozzi, refuse to endorse Mamdani, while reports continue of efforts to narrow the field by urging Adams to exit, which he rejects.