Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) asserts that Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) endorsed New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani due to fears that Mamdani would rally his progressive supporters against her.
Stefanik’s comments followed the release of an undercover video featuring a Mamdani campaign staffer who claimed Mamdani would instruct his “60,000 volunteers” to support Hochul’s opponent, although the reasoning behind this is unclear. Mamdani is currently favored against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
https://x.com/scrowder/status/1978924390923268244
The video appeared to be edited, leaving the context of the remarks made by the campaign staffer, who seems to be canvass director Robert Akleh, uncertain. Akleh also mentioned that it took Hochul a few months to realize that Mamdani was the Democratic nominee, referencing her delay in endorsing him.
He further commented on the opinions of New York police officers regarding Mamdani, saying, “Who gives a sh*t what they think? You’re a city employee. Tell you, you get told what to do. Shut up.”
Stefanik, who may consider a run for governor against Hochul in 2026, seized on the situation.
“Kathy Hochul was forced to bend the knee and endorse Zohran Mamdani, a terrorist jihadist sympathizer whose political team threatened her with a primary if she did not endorse the antisemite, Defund the Police Communist backed by the Democrat Socialists of America whose platform includes defunding the police and terrorism,” she stated in comments shared with the Washington Examiner.
“Everyone in New York politics understands that Kathy Hochul is a politically weak Governor and was forced to bend the knee to Mamdani and the DSA in exchange for them not primarying her. And last night, Mamdani embarrassed Hochul on the debate stage, refusing to endorse her. Clearly, Commie Mamdani is the puppet master of the Worst Governor in America,” she added.
Hochul endorsed Mamdani in September after a prolonged period of indecision. She described him as “a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable.”
Stefanik has been keen to connect Hochul with the Democratic socialist candidate, who may resonate well in New York City but not as much with the state’s Republican and moderate electorate. The endorsement provided Stefanik with tangible negative messaging against Hochul, especially since they have disagreed on issues like tax increases.
A recent internal poll from Stefanik’s campaign indicated that she is within approximately 5 points of Hochul, with support at 43% to Hochul’s 48%. This is contingent on her decision to run and Hochul’s ability to navigate a challenging primary, which includes her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.
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Stefanik is expected to announce her decision regarding a gubernatorial run following the New York City mayoral election on November 4.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the campaigns of Mamdani and Hochul for comments but did not receive a response.
