ALBANY – Mayoral Candidate’s Shift on Affordability
Zoran Mamdani, the frontrunner for mayor, has recently taken a softer stance towards Governor Kathy Hochul, suggesting that he believes she has “successfully” tackled New York state’s affordability issues. This is quite a change, considering just two years ago he criticized her administration for not effectively addressing cost concerns.
In what seems to be a strategic pivot, Mamdani’s newly supportive comments followed Hochul’s endorsement of him last month and their public hug during a news conference. “I think Governor Hochul has been successful in pursuing his goal of affordability,” he remarked at an unrelated event, referencing initiatives she has taken on child care when questioned about specific state policies’ effectiveness.
However, it’s worth noting that not long ago, during state budget talks, Mamdani criticized Hochul for her reluctance to increase taxes on the wealthy, which he believed was necessary.
Back in 2023, he expressed strong discontent on the legislative floor, stating, “At a time when the cost of living is rising and New Yorkers are being crushed, she has betrayed the support of voters across the state.” He also challenged her commitment to making New York more affordable when the governor vetoed proposals for increased taxes on high earners.
Should he become the mayor, Mamdani will need to work closely with Hochul and state legislators to bring his ambitious policies—like free busing and universal childcare—to fruition. Yet, with Hochul’s promise to avoid raising income taxes, it’s unclear how he plans to secure funding for these initiatives, especially as the state grapples with a projected $34 billion deficit in the coming years.
Additionally, Mamdani did compliment Hochul’s prompt actions in securing emergency rental assistance during the pandemic, which helped prevent many evictions as the rent moratorium was set to expire. He remarked, “For me, the affordability agenda and the efficiency agenda, they’re intertwined. That’s one of the hallmarks of her administration and, frankly, I’m excited to work with her on these points that we’ve put forward.”
The two recently appeared together at an event in Astoria, marking their first public joint engagement since the governor’s surprising endorsement of Mamdani. Hochul expressed gratitude, stating, “I want to thank Congressman Zoran Mamdani for putting a special exclamation point on how hard it is for struggling families in this city and why affordability policies are so important.” She later noted him as “very reasonable” in finding alternate funding sources to realize his ambitious campaign promises.
Mamdani’s team did not comment on his past remarks, while Hochul’s office directed inquiries to her previous statements.
