With Election Day looming, Gov. Kathy Hochul combined politics with her favorite team – bringing Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a bar in Astoria to watch the Buffalo Bills.
Hoping that her left flank is protected, Hochul was cheering on her favorite sports team at Murphy’s in Queens Sunday afternoon.
Though early vote totals are hitting record levels statewide compared to 2022, Democratic-socialists Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez are trying to push younger voters toward her.
“I want New York City to be successful. I want New York State to be successful. These are the people that are gonna help us get there,” said Hochul in an interview.
On whether he will pressure Hochul to raise taxes next year in Albany to pay for child-care programs, the mayor instead steered the conversation toward Hochul’s reelection.
“When the governor and I walk the streets of the city, we hear from New Yorkers who are staying in the city because of universal childcare,” said Mamdani.
“The governor and I have discussed everything leading up to Tuesday at 8:59 p.m. and then we know we will have the other person to speak to from 9:01 p.m. onwards,” he added.
All also have their eyes on national races.
Responding to infighting between Michigan Democrats — Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over fellow-Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the competitive Senate contest.
“Abdul El-Sayed is very clearly the leader that we need in this moment, and I don’t think that it’s worth the distraction. I think that people want to hear from people who are focused on them,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“The choice is whether or not you want to fight for working people like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has been running on, or whether you want to provide additional oxygen and amplification to a candidacy of someone who wants to cut Medicare further,” added Mamdani.
The governor is also pushing back that some votes for Democrats aren’t an embrace of their party – but more of a rejection of President Donald Trump.
“It’s about who are the other leaders governing this state that I can roll up my sleeves and get really competent for New Yorkers? And that’s what I have here,” said Hochul.
Earlier Sunday, the governor campaigned on the Upper West Side with elected officials and at least one congressional hopeful, frequenting some Manhattan diners.
She then ended her day on the other side of town with City Council Speaker Julie Menin on the Upper East Side.