Hochul Enlists Mamdani to Secure Brooklyn Votes

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is scheduled to campaign in Brooklyn with Gov. Kathy Hochul, who’s seeking reelection, putting his popularity to work for a governor from a different wing of the Democratic Party. On Friday, Oct. 23, Mamdani is set to hand out campaign literature with Hochul. They’re expected back Sunday, Oct. 25, for a canvassing event, according to a person familiar with the plans who was granted anonymity to discuss the schedule before it became public.

The alliance is electoral arithmetic in plain view: Hochul’s team wants to turn Mamdani’s standing in New York City into votes for her statewide campaign against Republican Bruce Blakeman. A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday showed Hochul leading Blakeman 55% to 41%. Democratic strategist Trip Yang, who’s working on a pro-Hochul super PAC, put the calculation bluntly: “Mamdani is the most popular figure in New York City, which is the most vote-rich region. A Democrat can win statewide simply by running up the score in New York City — it basically guarantees a Democratic win. Tapping into Mamdani is just very smart.”

Votes First, Differences Later

Hochul and Mamdani represent different wings of their party and are a generation apart. The governor’s alliance with the mayor recognizes New York City’s importance in her race, but it doesn’t erase their differences over Israel, policing and taxes. Hochul could also risk alienating suburban voters, where Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is expected to do well.

Mamdani’s unexpected victory in last year’s mayoral race brought together a base made up largely of younger voters drawn to his platform addressing New York City’s high cost of living. Whether a significant share of those supporters will turn out for Hochul remains uncertain. That question shadows the campaign’s tidy vote-counting logic.

Hochul approved additional aid early in the year for the shared goal of expanding no-cost child care, later sent state money to help close a New York City budget gap, and accepted a tax on owners of expensive second homes in the five boroughs. That tax fulfilled a Mamdani campaign pledge to tax the rich. Hochul, however, has opposed income-tax increases for wealthy people and large corporations. Some Democrats, including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, say further child care expansion will require tax increases.

A Coalition With Friction

Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Hochul in February, helping her left flank and ending the campaign of her only primary challenger, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Local Democratic Socialists of America leaders and other supporters have criticized Hochul for opposing income-tax increases Mamdani sought in Albany earlier this year. Their criticism makes it harder for him to build enthusiasm for her.

In June’s primary elections, Mamdani campaigned and helped raise money for candidates in three competitive New York City congressional races. All of his candidates won, defeating two more moderate incumbents and strengthening his position as a progressive powerbroker. He hasn’t campaigned in red states for Democrats seeking upset victories, and otherwise has kept a low profile in the general-election campaign. This month, he attended a Manhattan fundraiser for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, the only high-profile candidate outside New York he has campaigned for this year.

Hochul’s team released an advertisement last week featuring Mamdani criticizing Blakeman. A person close to Mamdani said the team viewed the gubernatorial race as less competitive than the summer’s congressional primaries and believed it didn’t require as much of his involvement. The mayor’s team also wants him seen as focused on New York City and ruled out campaigning for Hochul elsewhere in the state. A second person close to Mamdani said the timing followed standard practice, since early voting starts this weekend.

The Unresolved Bargain

Mamdani’s advisers for the November elections include Elle Bisgaard-Church, his City Hall chief of staff; Anna Bahr, his City Hall communications director; Morris Katz, his 2025 campaign strategist; and Patrick Gaspard, a former U.S. ambassador and surrogate for the mayor. Bahr previously worked as an aide to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; the others have advised Mamdani since last year’s campaign.

Hochul supports Israel and backed a law intended to restrict protests near houses of worship, a measure sought by New York City’s Jewish community after pro-Palestinian demonstrations. David Greenfield, a former New York City councilmember and head of the Jewish charity Met Council, expected Jewish Democrats to split their tickets and said he didn’t think Hochul would be penalized for Mamdani’s support. “Jewish voters are pretty smart,” he said. “We’re capable of holding two ideas at once.”

Political analyst Michael Lange said the relationship has grown through collaboration rather than opposition: “She’s not seen him like a foe in the manner of these other establishment Democrats. Zohran campaigning for her certainly comes off as genuine. He has positioned Hochul never as a foe, but as a collaborator the whole time. Child care has proven to be such a core issue for both of them.”