Overview

• Governor Kathy Hochul announced her support in a New York Times op‑ed after weeks of cautious distance, citing shared priorities on affordability, combating antisemitism, and resourcing the NYPD despite differences over taxing high earners.
• Zohran Mamdani welcomed the backing as a step to unify Democrats and said he looks forward to working with Hochul on cost‑of‑living and safety goals.
• President Donald Trump attacked Mamdani on Truth Social and warned there is no reason to send federal money to New York, escalating the partisan fight over the city’s leadership.
• The latest Marist poll released September 16 shows Mamdani leading with 45% among likely voters, followed by Andrew Cuomo at 24%, Curtis Sliwa at 17%, and Eric Adams at 9%, with a 49% to 39% Mamdani edge in a head‑to‑head with Cuomo.
• Hochul’s move increases pressure on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to state their positions as Democrats work to consolidate before the November 4 election.