New York’s top two Democrats made good on a promise to campaign together before Election Day and just ahead of early voting.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul rode the G train to the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg Friday.
The pair hit up potential voters in Brooklyn as Hochul campaigns for her second term.
“The mayor brings an energy and excitement to our campaign. I’m grateful for that, and I’m hearing all over the city,” Hochul said standing next to Mamdani.
Although recent polls show Hochul holds a double-digit lead over opponent, Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, political observers say: appearing with the mayor and appealing to younger, often more left leaning voters helps her shore up the Democratic base.
“People want to make sure that we do not let someone who’s promised Trump-style leadership in our state, and that is Bruce Blakeman,” Hochul said. “To those who question why I’m campaigning with him, he’s more popular than Bruce Blakeman across the damn state of New York.”
Mamdani gave his ally in the statehouse thanks for billions of dollars he says helps major city priorities.
“I think what I’m stepping out to do is to acknowledge the governor’s leadership. She has been a partner, not just for me, but a partner for the entire city. We had a year here where we were facing a cost-of-living crisis that would be pushing New Yorkers out every single day. The second highest part of that cost-of-living crisis is childcare,” Mamdani said.
In a way, it’s also a thank you from Mamdani to Hochul, as was among the first establishment Democrats to endorse him after his June 2025 primary victory.
She also campaigned with him during the weeks ahead of his November victory.
“I’m here to acknowledge that the governor has been a leader. And while the governor has been a leader [in] making this a state that working families can afford, Bruce Blakeman is saying that he would cut Medicaid in half,” the mayor said.
Blakeman meanwhile held a rally in Chinatown with supporters, alongside the Republican candidate for attorney general, Saritha Komatireddy.
Both are trying to get more support in the five boroughs.
“You’ve had a governor who for the last five years has made you miserable. Increased your taxes, increased your utility bills. People don’t feel safe in their communities. They feel like there’s homelessness everywhere,” Blakeman said.
“When we actually take over [the attorney general’s office] and just fight crime, we’re going to make New Yorkers’ lives better because they will feel safe again and have more money in their wallet,” added Komatireddy.
Talking about policies he would support if his candidacy were successful.
“I’ll use the leverage of the governor’s office to end the policy of ruining neighborhoods by putting jails in our local communities. We’ve invested so much money in Riker’s Island. It’s a good place for it and it’s not hurting any communities, so why would we hurt communities?” Blakeman said.