Governor Hochul’s Mamdani Endorsement Proves She’s the Leader for This Moment
When our democracy and civil liberties are on the line, bold leadership is the only answer. By becoming the highest-ranking statewide elected official to endorse the Democratic nominee for mayor, who boasts overwhelming support from New York City voters, Governor Hochul is showing herself as a leader who is unafraid to unite the Democratic party against Donald Trump. In 2024, Democrats saw in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris what happens when Democrats are fractured. That is a recipe for disaster, and it’s how Republicans win.
It’s ok to disagree with Mamdani, but it’s impossible not to recognize the movement he has built across demographics, boroughs, and ideologies. While his politics may or may not work for Buffalo or Rochester, a diverse coalition of Democrats in New York City have spoken, and a united party is always stronger than one divided. As we head into historic midterms in which New York could be the difference between flipping the House, Governor Hochul’s decision isn’t just good politics, it’s smart leadership. Governor Hochul is focused on moving Democrats away from infighting and toward fighting back against Trump and his enablers in Washington, D.C. That’s how Democrats win.
We can’t afford to lose.
Let’s be clear, the infighting has got to stop. We are facing an existential threat and the only way to win is to do it together. I can’t help but think about a lesson from one of our nation’s greatest leaders, President Lincoln, who understood that to be successful he would need to unite different factions through what has been dubbed a team of rivals. Contrast President Lincoln’s approach with what happened to Democrats last year when we couldn’t stand together. We can’t let that happen again. And yes, part of Mamdani’s coalition are people who were part of that division – but that’s exactly why we need to bring them under the tent. Instead of exacerbating these riffs, let’s get to work mending them. And let’s not sugar coat this because it’s bigger than New York – our democracy, our civil liberties, and our freedom are all on the line in 2026.
Unfortunately, some haven’t gotten the unity message.
The Governor faces a potential primary challenge from her left flank from a candidate who needs Mamdani’s coalition to stand a chance. That chance seems all but gone with the Governor’s move. If you need further proof of it just pick up a paper (or scroll your phone) and look for him – he’s the guy no one’s talking about in all of this. And I’m not going to talk much more about it either because the most important point is that we all need to come together.
It’s politics 101 – shore up your base, expand your base, get your base out to vote. Especially in New York, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1. To win statewide here and to carry the swing districts in a way that helps House Democratic candidates overcome the incumbent Republicans, we need all those Democrats turning out in full force.
That’s how we win.
And the MAGA Republicans can’t do anything about it if we stand united. Sure, some will try to nefariously attack the Governor with the same attacks they’ve launched against Mamdani, but it won’t work, and the endorsement doesn’t change that fact. We know this because the Governor’s most hyped Republican opponent, Rep. Elise Stefanik, has been out there for weeks trying to tie Mamdani to the Governor long before the endorsement. You’ve heard these claims before, “communist this” and “socialist that,” because it’s the same tired old claims Republicans have used for decades. None of these attacks speak to what voters want from their candidates.
You know who does? Zohran Mamdani. You know who else does? Kathy Hochul. And that’s what really matters here. These are two very different people. One’s a mom from Buffalo and the other a newlywed man representing Queens. And they have differences in policy and how to tackle certain issues.
But they agree on two things that the vast majority of New Yorkers want to see their leaders united around in this moment: lowering the cost of living for everyday New Yorkers and fighting back against the Trump regime. Governor Hochul has a long track record of common-sense cost-cutting measures that align with Mamdani’s popular message on affordability. And while Hochul and Mamdani are both out there standing tall against Trump, Stefanik is stuck to him like melted gum to the bottom of a shoe during a July heatwave.
When President Lincoln was asked why he appointed his team of rivals, part of his answer was, “We needed to hold our own people together.” A hundred and sixty-four years later and that profound thought still holds true. For Democrats to win, we must hold together.
Christine C. Quinn is a former New York City Council speaker.
