Socialists not thrilled with Mamdani’s guv endorsement: ‘Even Zohran gets it wrong sometimes’

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani found himself on the different side of some of his closest allies in Albany after officially endorsing Gov. Kathy Hochul for governor. While the move is not a total surprise, as he must work with Hochul to make many of his lofty proposals a reality, democratic socialists in the state Legislature are not jumping to defend the choice. In fact, some have offered measured criticism of the mayor. 

Mamdani explained his decision to endorse Hochul even while admitting to their differences on fundamental issues like raising taxes on the wealthy in an op-ed in The Nation. “The temptation is to allow difference to turn into distrust,” he wrote. “But over the course of our relationship, I have come to trust Governor Hochul as someone willing to engage in an honest dialogue that leads to results.” Hochul struck a similar tone when she endorsed Mamdani for mayor, also in an op-ed.

Although Mamdani has received criticism from some rank-and-file members of the Democratic Socialists of America for moderating some of his positions since the election, such an explicit public disagreement from a fellow socialist in office has been rare. While Mamdani’s singular influence may have affected the New York City DSA chapter’s decision not to endorse City Council Member Chi Ossé for Congress, it evidently is not enough to get fellow socialists behind Hochul.

State Sen. Jabari Brisport became the first of the state Legislature’s DSA contingent to endorse in the gubernatorial race when he announced his support for Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado last month. Despite his closeness to Mamdani, he said the mayor didn’t make the right move by backing Hochul. “Even Zohran gets it wrong sometimes,” Brisport said in a text to City & State. 

Still, he did not linger on Mamdani’s decision, pointing to the strength of the movement as a whole. “Fortunately we’ve built a mass movement that isn’t controlled by any one individual; Hochul’s still going to have to listen to the people if she wants those votes, and the people are saying ‘tax the rich,’” he said.

Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, who on Jan. 8 became the second socialist in office to endorse Delgado, went further and seemed to call into question Mamdani’s commitment to the movement – before she asked City & State not to use her original statement. 

“The movement put our faith in Zohran,” Gallagher said in her initial response by text. “Faith is about leaping without a net.” She also expressed concern about Hochul’s track record and values. “Our movement’s faith is being tested and soon we will all be learning what happens,” Gallagher said. “Hard to say what the lesson will be. I hope I’m pleasantly surprised.”

An hour after sending that statement, Gallagher asked City & State not to use her original comments, saying she was “upset” initially and “said something (she doesn’t) actually think after a few conversations.” She did not elaborate on whom she spoke to nor what kinds of discussions led to her change of opinion.

In a new statement, Gallagher softened her language most critical of Mamdani. “He’s the executive and we knew it would be complicated as he pivots from legislator to executive,” she said in the new text. “We put our faith in him and as legislators our job is to fight tooth and nail for the exact policies and funding that our districts demand.” Gallagher refocused her criticism of Hochul herself. “At the end of the day, it’s the governor who is responsible for resolving the affordability crisis and the federal cuts that hang in the balance.”

Other socialists in office who responded to requests for comment chose to stay out of the race entirely. State Sen. Julia Salazar called the situation a “very interesting and surprising” one that she “can’t comment on.” She also said she intends to stay out of the governor’s race entirely and will not make an endorsement. Assembly Member Claire Valdez, whom Mamdani has backed in her bid for Congress, similarly told City & State she does not plan to make an endorsement “any time soon.”