Mamdani Campaigns for Hochul as Tax Divide Persists

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is scheduled to campaign in Brooklyn with Gov. Kathy Hochul as she seeks reelection, joining her statewide effort even as their disagreement over taxes on wealthy people and large businesses remains unresolved. A person familiar with their plans said Mamdani will distribute campaign literature with Hochul on Friday, Oct. 23, and return Sunday, Oct. 25, for a canvassing event.

The alliance brings together Democrats from different wings of the party around New York City’s votes. Mamdani’s mayoral campaign centered on the high cost of living, while Hochul faces Republican Bruce Blakeman. A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday showed Hochul leading Blakeman 55% to 41%.

The votes behind the alliance

Democratic strategist Trip Yang, who is working on a pro-Hochul super PAC, described the electoral value of Mamdani’s support: “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.”

Hochul’s alliance with Mamdani reflects the city’s importance to her race. Democrats in New York have long sought a coalition that includes Jewish New Yorkers and older Black voters. Mamdani’s unexpected mayoral victory last year united a base made up heavily of younger voters drawn to his platform for addressing the city’s high cost of living.

Whether a significant share of those supporters will turn out for Hochul isn’t clear. Her positions on Israel, policing and taxes differ from Mamdani’s, and the alliance could alienate suburban voters, where Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is expected to do well.

Mamdani hasn’t campaigned in red states for Democrats seeking upset victories. In New York’s Democratic primaries, he backed left-wing challengers in Democratic-dominated House districts. During June’s primary elections, he 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.

Child care and the tax dispute

Early in the year, Hochul approved additional aid for the two Democrats’ shared goal of expanding no-cost child care. Later, she 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, fulfilling a Mamdani campaign pledge to tax the rich.

But Hochul has opposed income-tax increases for wealthy people and large corporations. Some Democrats, including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, have said tax increases will be needed to expand child care further. If Hochul wins a second full term, she’s expected to face greater pressure from the left, including Mamdani, to raise taxes on wealthy people and large businesses.

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. The tax dispute hasn’t publicly soured relations between City Hall and Albany.

Political analyst Michael Lange said: “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.”

Campaign limits and competing constituencies

Mamdani has otherwise stayed largely out of 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 gubernatorial race appeared less competitive than the summer’s congressional primaries, so 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 because early voting starts this weekend.

Local Democratic Socialists of America leaders and other supporters have criticized Hochul for opposing income-tax increases Mamdani sought in Albany earlier this year, complicating his effort to build enthusiasm for her. 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. “Jewish voters are pretty smart,” he said. “We’re capable of holding two ideas at once.”