JUST IN: Mamdani refuses to endorse Kathy Hochul after NY governor endorses him

Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani has refused to back New York Governor Kathy Hochul after the Hochul backed up Mamdani in a New York Times opinon piece over the weekend. Hochul had said that she found common ground with the socialist candidate. 

Hochul endorsed Mamdani on Sunday, saying that despite her disagreements with Mamdani, she would support him in his candidacy for mayor of New York City. However, on Monday, Mamdani did not return the favor. When he was asked by reporters about endorsing Hochul, he responded that is was premature to ask abot  “the thing beyond the thing," per the New York Post. 

“My focus is on November, and I’m excited to have the governor’s support in that fight for November,” the left-wing candidate added. The failure to endorse Hochul in return drew a reaction, incluing from Rep. Elise Stefanik, who said the snub against Hochul made the New York goveror look weak in her leadership role. 

"Even Mamdani refuses to support Kathy Hochul less than 24 hours after she endorsed him!" Stefanik posted to X. 

Additionally, Veteran campaign strategist Hank Sheinkopf said that the snub from Mamdani makes it appear as though he is in control of the Democrat Party. “No good deed goes unpunished. Hochul looks weak,” he said. “Mamdani looks like he’s the head of the Democratic Party in New York, not the governor. This shows the power shift. Mamdani and his movement are in charge."

The head of the New York City Asian Wave Alliance, Yiatin Chu, said that “Hochul got played" by Mamdani. Hohcul said in her opinion piece that she "needed to know the next mayor will not be someone who would surrender one inch to President Trump," and cited that for one of the reasons she endorsed Mamdani.