ALBANY – In a surprising shift, leading mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has begun to praise Gov. Kathy Hochul for her efforts in tackling New York’s affordability crisis, a stark contrast to his previous criticisms just two years ago when he lambasted her for not effectively reducing living costs.
The Democratic nominee appears to be softening his stance in a strategic move to align himself with the governor, who recently endorsed him amid some controversy, showcasing their partnership at a press event this week.
“I believe Governor Hochul has made strides in her affordability agenda,” Mamdani expressed at a separate event on Wednesday, citing specific initiatives related to childcare as evidence of her success when questioned by The Post.
However, two years prior, during budget negotiations, the Queens assemblyman sharply criticized Hochul’s lack of cooperation on raising taxes for high earners.
“When the cost of living is rising and New Yorkers are suffering, she has not met our communities’ needs,” said Mamdani during a speech on the chamber floor in 2023.
He added, “The governor identified affordability as a key goal in her budget, yet she dismissed proposals from the Assembly to increase taxes on those earning over $5 million, along with profitable corporations, before voting against that budget part.”
Should he win the mayoralty, Mamdani will require the support of Hochul and the state legislature to realize his ambitious campaign promises, including free public transit and universal childcare.
While potential allies may exist in Albany, Hochul has reiterated her refusal to raise income taxes, challenging Mamdani’s strategies to finance his extensive proposals amid a looming $34 billion shortfall projected over the next three years.
On Wednesday, Mamdani also commended Hochul’s prompt actions to allocate funds from the pandemic-era Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which helped prevent evictions when the rent moratorium expired.
“The affordability and efficiency agendas are closely linked, and I’m eager to collaborate with her on these critical issues that we’ve both prioritized,” he added.
Recently, Mamdani and Hochul were seen together in Astoria, where she announced grant funding for the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. This marked the first public appearance for both since Hochul’s significant endorsement of the mayoral hopeful.
“I extend my gratitude to Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for emphasizing the struggles of families in New York City and highlighting the urgent need for measures to improve affordability,” Hochul remarked during the press conference.
She later referred to Mamdani as “eminently reasonable” in his quest to discover funding strategies beyond raising taxes to support his ambitious campaign objectives.
Mamdani’s campaign did not comment on his previous 2023 remarks, while Hochul’s office redirected inquiries to her earlier statements.
