New York governor backs Mamdani, triggers Trump funding threat
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Mr Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens, shocked the political establishment by rising from relative obscurity to defeat Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
PHOTO: VICTOR J. BLUE/NYTIMES
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President Donald Trump suggested there could be financial consequences over New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayor’s race.
“This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City,” Mr Trump – who has referred to Mr Mamdani as a “communist lunatic” – wrote about the endorsement in a post on the morning of Sept 15 on his Truth Social platform.
“Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!”
Ms Hochul announced her support of Mr Mamdani, a democratic socialist, in an op-ed published by the New York Times on Sept 14, bolstering the candidate, who has struggled to reassure many prominent members of the party unnerved by his progressive agenda.
The governor’s endorsement also delivered a blow to the incumbent mayor, Mr Eric Adams, and former governor Andrew Cuomo, both of whom are running as independent candidates against Mr Mamdani.
Mr Trump has said he wants to see a two-way race in his hometown of New York City, and reports have swirled about the White House potentially seeking to offer Mr Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa positions in exchange for leaving the race.
Both Mr Adams and Mr Sliwa have said they will remain in the race until the end.
Shocking win
Mr Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens, shocked the political establishment by rising from relative obscurity to defeat Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
Wall Street and business leaders have been unnerved in part because of his proposals to raise taxes on businesses and the wealthy to help pay for an agenda that includes free buses, childcare and government-run grocery stores.
Jewish groups and some elected officials have expressed concern about his strong support for Palestinian causes and criticism of Israel.
Ms Hochul has tried to temper concerns about his tax proposals, telling Bloomberg TV last week that “the city of New York, as powerful and mighty as it is, is still a subdivision of the state, so any tax increase has to come across my desk first”.
In her endorsement of Mr Mamdani, Ms Hochul acknowledged divisions between them but said she would support the 33-year-old upstart because “New York needs leaders who will put aside differences, stand up and fight back against Mr Trump”.
New York is grappling with the fiscal impact of Mr Trump’s federal budget bill, which Ms Hochul has estimated could cost the state almost US$13 billion (S$16.65 billion) per year, spurring concerns that the state will need new sources of revenue regardless of a Mamdani victory.
“I’m grateful for the Governor’s support in unifying our party, her resolve in standing up to Trump, and her focus on making New York affordable. I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together,” Mr Mamdani wrote in a post on X.
Republican US Representative Elise Stefanik, who is weighing her own bid for New York governor, blasted Ms Hochul’s decision to endorse Mr Mamdani.
“At the exact moment when New Yorkers are looking for strong leadership from their governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York,” Ms Stefanik said in a statement on Sept 14.
In a post on X, hedge fund titan Daniel Loeb referred to Ms Hochul’s endorsement as “another reason to endorse” Ms Stefanik for governor. BLOOMBERG
