‘Win across the board’: Mamdani reveals his midterm priority

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he hopes Democrats will “win across the board” in the midterms, naming Governor Kathy Hochul’s re-election as a priority.

Mamdani pointed to their partnership on universal child care and affordable housing, saying the two were aligned on making New York more affordable for working-class families.

He made the remarks Monday, September 28, during a Manhattan event announcing jobs initiatives, where reporters also asked about his plans to campaign for Hochul.

Zohran Mamdani says Hochul's re-election is a midterm priority

“I will say that it is the job of a lifetime to be the mayor of our city,” Mamdani told reporters when asked whether he was disappointed that Democrats were not using him more to mobilize voters in the midterms.

He said his focus remained on delivering for New York City but made clear that supporting Hochul’s re-election was among his priorities.

“My hopes for the midterms are that we see Democrats win across the board, and one of the priority races to me is ensuring the re-election of our Democratic governor Kathy Hochul,” he said.

Mamdani also expressed enthusiasm about campaigning for the governor, following a report that the pair would appear together in two campaign videos.

“I’m incredibly excited to be out there and my support for Governor Hochul,” he said, describing their working relationship as a partnership focused on issues affecting New Yorkers.

He also said he would be willing to campaign alongside Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, when asked whether he would join her on the campaign trail.

“I’d love to,” Mamdani replied.

Mamdani and Hochul’s partnership extends to child care and housing

Mamdani cited universal child care as a key example of the governor’s leadership and their cooperation, recalling an announcement made during the eighth day of his administration.

He said Hochul committed more than $1.2 billion to support early childhood care and education in New York City, describing the announcement as one of the most important days of his first nine months in office.

Mamdani also pointed to the launch of the free 2-K program, saying more than 2,000 children received offers for free 2-K seats. The city estimates that the program will save participating families an average of $26,000 a year.

He credited Hochul’s leadership for helping make the program possible and said the partnership had delivered tangible benefits for families.

Mamdani described the lack of affordable housing as the leading driver of the city’s cost-of-living crisis.

He said he was proud to have worked with Hochul on changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, known as SEQRA, to speed up affordable housing development.

Mamdani said their cooperation also focused on addressing inefficiencies in the state’s system, alongside delivering immediate assistance to residents.

Mayor Mamdani addresses differences and Republican criticism

Mamdani acknowledged that some of his supporters might question his alignment with Hochul, given potential differences in their policy positions. 

He said the two were aligned on helping working-class families afford to remain in New York.

He described the partnership as an opportunity to make a direct case to supporters and other New Yorkers about the governor’s record.

The mayor also criticized Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a potential Republican gubernatorial candidate, over his approach to immigration enforcement.

Mamdani said he wanted to make clear “what a Blakeman governorship would look like for a city that cares so deeply about the immigrants who call it home.”

He accused Blakeman of embracing ICE. 

Asked whether his recent appearance with President Donald Trump weakened Republicans’ efforts to portray him as a political villain, Mamdani declined to offer a judgment.

“I will leave it to pundits and analysts to make that judgment,” he said, adding that he would continue meeting with anyone who could help deliver for New Yorkers.