Politics can certainly produce unexpected alliances, and New York is providing another curious example.
There’s no kindness from Governor Hochul towards her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, despite their previous partnership. By the time Cuomo was forced out of office nearly four years ago, their relationship had soured significantly.
Their mutual disdain is still apparent.
So, what’s behind Hochul’s recent last-minute assistance to Cuomo in his bid for mayor?
At first glance, it seems like a strategic move to bolster her own chances for reelection next year. Yet, the immediate outcome is that it could provide a significant advantage to Cuomo’s campaign for city hall.
It’s hard to believe she truly wants to see him regain a position in City Hall while she’s campaigning. But her actions might just lead to that outcome.
Here’s the situation: Cuomo is in a competitive race to secure the Democratic nomination this coming Tuesday.
“Affordable Price Crisis”
He is currently polling well, but his main opponent, Queens MP Zoran Mamdani, is gaining traction, especially among younger voters who form a crucial part of Mamdani’s support base.
Moreover, with the city using a ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani has certain advantages that could help him gather votes from other left-leaning candidates.
Hochul’s unexpected support for Cuomo raises questions about Mamdani’s progressive economic proposals.
These proposals include increasing corporate taxes, which would translate to heftier income taxes for the wealthiest New Yorkers.
This aligns with Mamdani’s ongoing progressive agenda, and as he rises in the polls, it seems to inspire other candidates to present their own expensive plans and tax proposals.
Hochul had stayed silent on these issues until now, but suddenly, she decides to publicly dismiss the core of Mamdani’s campaign.
When grilled in a TV interview about her stance on his tax proposals, she quickly answered, “No.”
“We’re not raising taxes when affordability is such a pressing matter,” she stated. “We don’t want to drive more people to places like Palm Beach. We’ve lost enough already. We need to be smart about this.”
That was a bold statement.
Hochul’s response appears to have been strategized, directly addressing Mamdani’s theme of the “affordable price crisis,” using it as a rationale to reject his proposals.
What she effectively did was undermine his campaign, as he needs her approval and the backing of the Democratic-controlled legislature to implement any tax initiatives.
The timing of her remarks suggests an effort to dampen Mamdani’s momentum.
Her stance is also about her 2026 campaign strategy. By ruling out tax increases, she limits her options if she shifts her position in the future, with the risk of backlash.
Dems ‘Alarmed’
Adding to the tension, if Cuomo were to return to City Hall, it complicates her position. Mamdani, with his engaging demeanor and youthful perspective, might push the city council further to the left.
Moreover, his past controversies surrounding anti-Semitism could become contentious as Israel faces various challenges, especially with anti-Semitic sentiments surfacing in the Democratic Party.
According to reports, the center-left think tank has expressed that Mamdani’s positions could be problematic for the party, providing ammunition for Republicans both in New York and nationally.
The issues cited range from calls to reduce police funding to pushing for the elimination of private healthcare—making for uncomfortable discussions among voters.
It’s certainly a tricky situation for Hochul.
Her rejection of new taxes also marks a significant pivot from her earlier approach during her tenure, where she had promoted policies aimed at easing financial burdens on residents.
But as living costs in New York continue to escalate, she has played a role in driving many residents out of the state.
I can’t help but recall how, during the fiercely contested race against GOP candidate Lee Zeldin in 2022, she quipped that those unhappy in New York should just head to Florida.
The lack of GOP influence in Albany and City Hall has allowed her party to implement policies that have raised costs significantly, sometimes more than public safety measures.
Hochul’s part in the ongoing difficulties will likely be a focal point for the GOP next year, especially as New York’s political landscape shifts to the right.
Vulnerable
Hochul finds herself exposed, facing potential backlash if she attempts to push crowd pricing and other taxes that could be seen as reckless.
Despite justifying these measures as necessary for funding, she’s made little progress in reforming the very institutions she manages and has instead opted for more funding as a solution.
Nonetheless, her reaction to Mamdani indicates that she understands there are limits to taxation that cannot be breached without consequences.
As I’ve pointed out recently, the wealthiest families in New York contribute nearly half of the city’s personal income tax, generating around $16 billion annually.
These families are essential to both city and state finances, and as living conditions deteriorate, politicians need to be cautious about giving them additional reasons to leave.
In Hochul’s case, saying “no” to Mamdani was an easy choice. His plans would likely worsen existing issues. The real test is whether she has viable solutions to halt the ongoing exodus of residents.
