Gov. Kathy Hawkle’s “probably impossible dream” — winning reelection to another term — may just be easier.
The governor won the endorsement of prominent LGBT political club leaders at an event in Manhattan on Wednesday night, where the announcement was followed shortly by Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell delivering a moving rendition of “The Impossible Dream” from the 1965 musical “Man of La Mancha.”
At the annual fundraiser for the Jim Owls Liberal Democrat Club at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, gay rights activist Allen Rothkopf’s glowing praise and support for Hockle was a surprise that night, attendees at the event said.
This was before Hokel even mentioned whether he would run again in 2026.
One attendee said support from the LGBT community would certainly boost Hockle’s chances of becoming the Democratic nominee again in the heavily Democratic state, where she lost reelection in 2022 by just 5 percentage points to Republican Lee Zeldin in a much closer-than-expected race.
Rothkopf acknowledged Thursday that he was on Hokell’s side.
“I support her,” Rothkopf told the Post. “The club has to vote, but I will support her reelection.”
Rothkopf said that honoree Hawkle has been active in advocating for the LGBT community, abortion rights and rising housing prices.
A longtime advocate of criminal justice reform, he said Hochul Grant amnesty She held more prisoners than her predecessor.
“I think she’s been a very good governor,” he said.
Actor Robert De Niro also spoke, saying it was important to re-elect President Biden and reject the return of former President Donald Trump.
“We think we’re the saviors of New York, but we’re not,” De Niro said.
“If Trump is re-elected, he will come after you, all of us. The only way to stop him is to re-elect Joe Biden. That’s it.”
The event, hosted by City Councilman Eric Bottcher, also honored 96-year-old cabaret singer and actress Marilyn May, and authors Michael Musto and Mickey Boardman.
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton was also in attendance.
