By: Jared Evan

Governor Kathy Hochul signaled Sunday that she may steer clear of endorsing far-left mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani – even after the controversial candidate showered her with praise. As the New York Post first pointed out, Hochul used a Fox News Sunday interview to remind viewers that “we still have many differences” despite his compliments.

Fox host Shannon Bream read Mamdani’s glowing statement lauding Hochul’s “courage” in taking on President Trump and Republicans in New York’s high-stakes redistricting battle. When Bream asked if the admiration was mutual and whether the extremist lawmaker would make a “good choice” for mayor, Hochul replied bluntly, “I don’t know how you whitewash that away.”

The Post noted that Hochul – who is up for re-election next year – has been openly critical of the hard-left candidate’s sweeping $9 billion tax-hike proposal targeting millionaires and corporations. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, wants to use those funds to bankroll subsidized child care, free city bus service, vast housing expansion, and even government-run grocery stores. Those measures would require sign-off from Albany – meaning from Hochul herself – and from state lawmakers facing voters in 2026.

Still, Hochul did concede there were “areas of alignment,” particularly on the issue of affordability. She acknowledged that the radical Queens assemblyman’s campaign has “touched a nerve” among New Yorkers frustrated by the city’s high cost of living. But, as the NY Post stressed, she clearly has no plans to campaign by his side or publicly legitimize his divisive platform.

Hochul’s reservations about the firebrand candidate came just a week after she marched alongside Mamdani at the Dominican Day Parade with Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo – both running against him on independent ballot lines.

The Post also pointed out that Mamdani’s far-reaching platform has drawn stark warnings from public safety figures. Longtime NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly recently called the idea of electing the militant left-winger a “tragedy of major proportions” for the city, warning it could cripple New York’s economic and security foundations.

Hochul avoided outright endorsement talk, saying, “I already worked with two different mayors. I’ll continue to work with whomever the voters want me to. My job is to calm things down… Let’s see what the election results are.”

Her hesitance mirrors her stance in Buffalo’s 2021 mayoral race, when she refused to back socialist India Walton after she upset the moderate incumbent in the Democratic primary. That year, Byron Brown staged a successful write-in campaign to retain his seat – something that Mamdani’s centrist opponents might view as a hopeful precedent.

As the NY Post underscored, Hochul’s reluctance to embrace the dangerous, redistribution-obsessed Mamdani underscores the widening rift between New York’s progressive and moderate Democrats. While she agreed with him on the need for relief from skyrocketing living costs, she stopped short of legitimizing his candidacy – leaving the door open for his rivals to frame him as an even greater threat to the city’s future.