Exclusive | NY Gov. Kathy Hochul expected to endorse Zohran Mamdani this week: sources

Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to endorse lefty Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani for mayor in the coming days — after her camp tried to keep the candidate at arm’s length through the campaign, insiders told The Post.

“It’s the talk in New York City Democratic political circles. Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani is coming this week,” a Democratic Party official told The Post.

Mamdani’s campaign declined to comment, referring questions to Hochul.

Hochul’s campaign declined to comment.

It’s a big move for Hochul, because democratic socialist Mamdani is unpopular in the suburbs, according to polls. Republicans in Nassau County are already using Mamdani to attack their Democratic rivals.

In 2021, Hochul did not endorse India Walton after the democratic socialist won the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor against favored incumbent Byron Brown.

Brown won re-election in the general election as a write-in candidate.

But Hochul has been under mounting pressure from progressives to back Mamdani as she faces reelection next year and the possibility of a lefty challenger in a party primary..

A Democratic Party official also said Hochul needs a huge vote from urban areas in the next year’s general election because she’s unpopular in the suburbs and parts of upstate. 

“She needs to get the city vote out to survive. It’s toxic for Hochul in the suburbs,” the Democratic Party source said.