'I HEAR YOU!': Governor Kathy Hochul rallies with socialist Zohran Mamdani as thousands chant 'tax the rich'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul faced jeers and chants of "tax the rich" when she stumped for socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani during a rally over the weekend. The rally comes as early voting started on Saturday in the NYC mayoral race between Mamdani, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa. 

As Hochul took the stage in Queens on Sunday evening, the governor was met with a rowdy crowd chanting "tax the rich" at the governor. 

The sold-out "New York is Not For Sale" rally at Forest Hills Stadium featured democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, "squad" congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani, as well as Hochul. Hochul, despite previously having apprehensions about Mamdani, has endorsed the socialist candidate for New York City mayor. Mamdani has thus far refused to endorse Hochul in the 2026 gubernatorial race.

The governor appeared in front of a sign that stated "Freeze The Rent," a radical left-wing policy proposed by Mamdani in the Big Apple. Some boos were heard alongside the chants of tax the rich as she appeared on stage. 

“Right now, our city and our state and our country are under attack by Donald Trump and our Republicans in Washington," she said as she spoke alongside State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins as well as Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. “They’re literally not just taking a wrecking ball to the White House, they are taking a wrecking ball to our values, our people, our progress."

Hochul railed against the indictment of Letitia James as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids taking place in New York City. "Oh, you're fired up, you're fired up," Hochul said as the chants went on. "Alright. I hear you. You want to see Zohran or not?" she added. 

The governor had a hard time staying on message and getting through the rest of her speech, and at the end of her speech, told the audience to use “that energy, that passion" in the 2026 midterm elections as well. 

According to the New York Post, when Hochul was asked about whether she backed Mamdani's plan to raise taxes on the wealthy in NYC and raise the corporate tax rate, she replied, "No."

“I’m not raising taxes at a time where affordability is the big issue," she told reporters at the time.