Hochul Draws Heavy Criticism for Endorsing Known Anti-semite Zohran Mamdani in NYC Mayoral Race

Governor Kathy Hochul is under fire following her public endorsement of New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City. Mamdani, a progressive Democrat from Queens known for his sharp opposition to Israel, has been labeled by critics as both “communist” and antisemitic.

Hochul announced her support for Mamdani in a Sunday op-ed published by The New York Times. She praised his focus on “public safety” and affordability while also stressing that they had spoken about the importance of addressing antisemitism.

“We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally,” Hochul wrote. “I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly.”

The governor’s move quickly provoked backlash from Republican leaders. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) blasted Hochul’s decision, declaring that the governor had thrown her weight behind a “raging antisemite communist.” Stefanik charged that Hochul now “owns” Mamdani’s progressive policies, including calls to “defund the police, abolish our law enforcement, abolish prisons, abolish private health-care insurance.”

She also accused Hochul of legitimizing Mamdani’s “antisemitism, which put New York at risk and is a danger to the Jewish community in New York City.”

Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on Truth Social, writing: “Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has endorsed the ‘Liddle Communist,’ Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City. How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!”

Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) added his criticism, calling the endorsement “a complete and total disaster for our state and for the country.”

The controversy comes at a politically sensitive moment for Hochul. While she still holds a lead over Stefanik in early polling for the 2026 governor’s race, a Siena College survey shows her advantage narrowing. Hochul has traditionally enjoyed strong backing from Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Long Island, but some political observers suggest that her alliance with Mamdani could weaken that base of support.

Mamdani himself has been a lightning rod for criticism. He is an outspoken advocate for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, has refused to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and has vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he set foot in New York.

He previously defended the controversial slogan “globalize the intifada” by comparing it to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising during World War II. However, he later retreated from that stance, saying he would urge supporters not to use the phrase.

Hochul Draws Heavy Criticism for Endorsing Known Anti-semite Zohran Mamdani