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Gov. Kathy Hochul confessed on Tuesday that Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s supporters are likely not too thrilled about the two of them chumming around in public together.
The Democratic governor, who’s up for reelection on Nov. 3, has been campaigning with the socialist mayor whose supporters have pressured Hochul to join their “tax the rich” crusade.
She called Mamdani “pragmatic,” even as she admitted some of his cronies might not like the alliance between the political odd couple.
“I’d say very pragmatic when it comes to getting things done,” Hochul told Politico Mag.
“He understands the relationship with the governor is important,” she said, adding, “His supporters probably aren’t thrilled when they see us standing together, too, right? That’s fine.”
The comments come as Mamdani threw his hat in the ring to help the governor get out the vote in the Big Apple — a key area that the governor needs to win overwhelmingly in her gubernatorial race against GOP candidate Bruce Blakeman.
The two appeared together multiple times over the weekend in an attempt to drive up voter participation among younger New Yorkers in the deep blue state.
Mamdani, one of the most high-profile members of the Democratic Socialists of America, unsuccessfully pushed the gov to raise taxes on the rich during the budget season last spring, much to the chagrin of his fellow comrades.
Hochul repeatedly brushed off boos and chants at events with the mayor over the last year when those in attendance had heckled her over taxes.
“The more you push me, the more I’m not gonna do what you want,” Hochul claimed in response last year, just days after Mamdani won.
But the New York chapter of the socialist group continued the push ahead of the state budget being approved — holding rallies and pressuring the governor online.
Hochul bailed out Mamdani in his first city budget cycle with state funds and pushed through a pied-a-terre tax on luxury second homes in the five boroughs. But Hochul has continued to be a target from Hizzoner’s supporters.
“This is the cost of Hochul’s inaction. People will die because she refused to tax the rich and fund healthcare,” NYC DSA wrote online in May.
“While Hochul cowers to the donor class, democratic socialists fight for the working class,” they added. “We’re up against an undemocratic bully in Albany & the oligarchs that back her. But our wins show that movement pressure CAN deliver for our communities.”
Hochul, 68, is seeking her second, full four-year term in the Nov. 3 election — with early voting already underway.
She’s facing a challenge from Republican Bruce Blakeman, 71, who is now serving as the Nassau County executive.
The governor is paid an annual salary of $250,000.
