With just days to go before he takes office, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she expects to find common ground with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on key issues, including affordability and child care.
In a radio interview Sunday on WABC, Hochul said she and Mamdani share similar priorities and predicted the incoming mayor could exceed expectations as he begins his term.
What You Need To Know
Gov. Kathy Hochul says she expects to align with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on key issues
Hochul cited affordability and universal child care as areas of agreement
Mamdani will be sworn in privately just after midnight on Jan. 1
A public City Hall ceremony and block party will follow later that day
“Donald Trump and myself have good relationships with the incoming mayor. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people,” Hochul said. “Again, I didn’t know him well. When he was first elected, and I was concerned about some positions that I’ve raised with him — and we’ll continue to raise our differences — but there’s also a lot of alignment: affordability and driving down cost of living in this great city.”
Hochul cited support for a universal free child care program as one area of agreement, noting that cooperation between the governor’s office and state lawmakers will be necessary for Mamdani to deliver on major pieces of his affordability agenda.
Mamdani is set to be sworn in as New York City’s next mayor during a private midnight ceremony early Jan. 1. Later that afternoon, he will take the oath of office again at a public ceremony on the steps of City Hall.
The City Hall swearing-in will be administered by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a Brooklyn native and longtime progressive leader.
A public block party will follow on the nearby Canyon of Heroes. The event is open to the public, though attendance is limited to those who RSVP in advance.