Hochul Humiliated as Mamdani Refuses to Endorse Her

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani ignited a wave of controversy Thursday night after pointedly refusing to endorse Governor Kathy Hochul during a televised debate, despite her having endorsed him only weeks earlier.

When moderators asked the candidates on stage – which included Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa – to raise their hands if they supported Hochul, Mamdani kept his down.

“It’s a decision that should be made after this general election,” Mamdani said.

Pressed by reporters the next day, he doubled down.

“So my focus is on November,” Mamdani explained Friday.

The moment was jarring given that Hochul threw her political weight behind Mamdani last month after enduring criticism from within her own party to back the leading candidate. At the time, Hochul praised him, declaring: “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani.”

Instead of strengthening the governor’s position, Mamdani’s comments quickly backfired on her. Republicans and critics pounced, describing Hochul’s endorsement as a misstep.

Rep. Elise Stefanik was particularly blunt, calling the incident “degrading and humiliating.” She went further on X, writing: “Jihadist and terrorist sympathizer Commie Mamdani's team threatened @kathyhochul with a primary if she didn't bend the knee and endorse him. Hochul quickly caved, and now wears his Defund the Police, Antisemitic, Communist platform.”

Stefanik added, “New Yorkers know how politically weak Hochul is. Mamdani confirmed it last night by refusing to endorse her.”

In a press release, Stefanik labeled Hochul the “biggest loser” of the debate, pointing to the fact that none of the three candidates publicly supported her.

The Republican National Committee amplified the moment as well, blasting on its official account: “Zohran Mamdani REFUSES to endorse Kathy Hochul for reelection even after she endorsed him,” punctuated with a clown emoji.

Congressman Mike Lawler mocked Hochul too, posting: “LMAO. No one believes @GovKathyHochul should be reelected.”

What Hochul had framed as a show of party unity has now been recast by her rivals as evidence of weakness.

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Hochul Humiliated as Mamdani Refuses to Endorse Her