Hochul Endorses Candidate
There’s something uniquely satisfying — and, yes, darkly humorous — about watching Democrats publicly sabotage each other. And in this particular case, it’s not just any internal squabble — it’s a full-blown display of political ingratitude, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul left holding the bag after attempting to appease the activist wing of her party.
The scene? New York. The cast? Hochul, the increasingly embattled governor trying to hold together a fracturing Democratic coalition, and Zohran Mamdani, a proud democratic socialist who just clinched the party’s nomination for mayor. Over the weekend, Hochul — against all odds and reason — threw her support behind Mamdani, likely in an attempt to shore up goodwill with the far-left. It was a calculated move. One that came with risks. But surely it would be reciprocated, right?
Wrong.
Just 24 hours after securing her endorsement, Mamdani was asked whether he would return the favor and back Hochul for re-election. His response? Not now. Maybe later. Maybe never. In his words, it was too soon to talk about “the thing beyond the thing.”
Even Mamdani refuses to support Kathy Hochul less than 24 hours after she endorsed him! https://t.co/R3HnvTR9DA
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) September 16, 2025
It’s a phrase that sounds like it was plucked straight from a Kamala Harris word salad, and yet it perfectly encapsulates what makes this whole scenario so absurd. Hochul hands Mamdani her stamp of legitimacy — a statewide Democrat blessing — and Mamdani won’t even give her a public nod in return.
And let’s be honest: this isn’t some minor oversight. This is classic political gamesmanship, and Hochul got outplayed. Badly.
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, who’s reportedly eyeing the governor’s mansion herself, didn’t waste any time taking a victory lap. Yiatin Chu of the Asian Wave Alliance cut right to the chase: “Hochul got played.” The verdict is in, and even neutral observers are calling it what it is — a political faceplant.
By elevating Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul showed where she stands. Not with cops, commuters, or working families, but with an extreme agenda that drives up costs and drives out common sense. New York deserves better.
Vote her out next year. pic.twitter.com/uG3KCBzBEo
— Robert Holden (@BobHoldenNYC) September 15, 2025
It’s almost hard to believe Hochul didn’t see this coming. Mamdani, like many in the democratic socialist orbit, has no interest in playing nice with the party establishment unless it suits him. He’ll smile when he needs your vote, but once he has the power, expect him to ghost your calls. And Hochul, in a move that will surely haunt her campaign strategists for months to come, decided to back him anyway — even as higher-profile Democrats like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries kept their distance.