New York Rep. Ritchie Torres on Friday called Gov. Kathy Hochul the “new Joe Biden” — suggesting she shouldn’t run for re-election — in yet another not-so-subtle sign the Bronx Democrat is considering jumping into the race.
Torres, in a post on X, pointed to Hochul’s dismal favorability rating, which at one point this year even dipped below that of President-elect Donald Trump in deep-blue New York.
“Kathy Hochul is the new Joe Biden,” the congressman wrote. “She may be in denial about the depth of her vulnerabilities as a Democratic nominee.
“A Democratic incumbent who is less popular in New York than Donald Trump is in grave danger of losing to a Republican in 2026–an outcome not seen in 30 years,” Torres continued.
“Waiting until it’s too late gave us a Republican President in 2024 and could give us a Republican Governor in 2026,” he added. “Let’s avoid repeating history and avoid sleepwalking toward impending disaster and defeat.”
Torres — a strong supporter of Israel since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack — has been making inroads in recent months, especially with business interests.
During a Citizens Budget Commission event in Manhattan this week, he ripped New York’s “misgovernance” — leading political insiders to believe he could be eyeing the Executive Mansion.
Sources have suggested in recent months that Hochul’s team is terrified of a primary challenge by Torres, who could court her supposed base of moderate Democrats.
A spokesperson for Hochul — who is up for reelection in 2026 — touted New York Democrats’ gains in the US House of Representatives during the November election.
“Governor Hochul is proud to have led New York Democrats in a successful election cycle, giving Congressman Torres four new Democratic colleagues in Congress,” the rep said in a statement Friday.
“The governor remains focused on delivering results for New Yorkers, from driving down crime to lowering costs for working families.”
State Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs, a close ally of Hochul, recently defended the governor during an interview on WCNY’s the Capitol Pressroom.
“No, I don’t see that at all,” Jacobs said asked by host David Lombardo whether Democrats should look for a new standard-barer in 2026.
While Jacobs said he would be “surprised” to see a serious primary challenge, but in the same breath said Democrats are vulnerable to Republicans who are gaining ground in the Empire State.
“In this time, when I think we have to be more concerned with the potential of a Republican becoming governor, because you look at the state and some of the shifts, I think it’s time for Democrats to come together and rally around this governor and rally around a more moderate centrist approach to government,” Jacobs said.
