Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is still sitting on top of the pack in the New York City mayoral race, and the recent endorsement from Governor Kathy Hochul just gave a big boost to his campaign.
There’s been a reluctance to endorse Mamdani — a young Muslim Democratic socialist of color — among New York’s top Democrats, such as House Leader Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, because of fear of potential backlash.
Hochul’s backing could signal that things may be changing as the general election looms closer. In a New York Times op-ed published on September 14, Hochul said she has had thoughtful discussions with Mamdani and, despite disagreements, she believes he is a leader committed to safety, affordability, and addressing pressing issues, like antisemitism.
“Affordability has long been my top priority as governor, and it is the No. 1 concern I share with Mr. Mamdani,” wrote Hochul. “As governor, I’ve taken actions to realize this goal, including lowering middle-class income taxes and making school meals free for all students. But there is more work ahead of us.”
One of her main concerns was combating President Donald Trump’s policies on multiple fronts, in an apparent dig at Mayor Adams’s cooperation with Trump’s administration to carry out his mass deportation agenda. “And in light of the abhorrent and destructive policies coming out of Washington every day, I needed to know the next mayor will not be someone who would surrender one inch to President Trump,” she wrote.
Mamdani, in a statement, said that he was grateful to the governor for her support in unifying the Democratic Party, as well as the work she has done in standing up to Trump.
“There’s so much work left to do, and our movement is only growing stronger,” said Mamdani.
According to a poll from Sienna College, Mamdani had a 22-point lead, ahead of former Governor Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, at the beginning of this September. The poll showed that he has made headway among Black voters (41%) and Latino voters (49%). His campaign is also seeing big numbers in terms of fundraising, hitting the $8 million spending cap with a median contribution of $25.
Another poll from the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion, surveyed that 44% of “likely” voters would cast their ballots for Mamdani, 25% would vote for Cuomo, 15% for Republican Curtis Sliwa, and 8% for Adams. About 7% of voters were undecided, and 2% would vote for independent Jim Walden, who dropped out of the running but is still on the ballot.
“If any more candidates drop out, we cannot be certain where those votes will go, especially with so many voters undecided,” said Political Science Associate Professor John Cluverius, the center’s director of survey research, in a statement. “Mamdani is way out in front. Most voters think he will win, and people like voting for a winner.”
An analysis from the Associated Press (AP) noted that should Cuomo and Adams stay in the race, “Mamdami could have a clearer path to victory.” As candidates, both Cuomo and Adams have major support from the same coalition of voters. They did well in previous races in areas of the city with more lower-income voters, Black and Jewish voters, and “conservative-friendly” or Republican voters.
New Yorkers who voted for Mamdani in the June primary also turned out at higher rates in the neighborhoods he won, according to the AP. Approximately 34% cast ballots for him, compared to the 29% who voted citywide.
However, a huge opposition to Mamdani’s campaign is emerging among the city’s wealthiest landlords, many of whom have taken issue with his proposed rent freeze on 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.
A poll from Tulchin Research, paid for by the New York Apartment Association, asked about three potential consequences of a rent freeze: higher rents for market tenants, loss of tax revenue, and more vacant apartments. “The more renters learn about the impact of a Rent Guidelines Board rent freeze, the more it loses popularity. The truth is that freezing rents for 40% of renters will have clear consequences, including higher rents for the majority of renters in the city,” said New York Apartment Association CEO Kenny Burgos.