New York Governor Kathy Hochul has endorsed Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, marking a significant political alliance between the moderate Democratic governor and the progressive Queens legislator.

The endorsement was announced through a New York Times opinion piece, where Hochul detailed her decision-making process and shared conversations with the 33-year-old candidate.

Hochul’s endorsement centers on several key policy areas where she and Mamdani have found common ground, despite their acknowledged differences. The governor emphasized their shared commitment to affordability, stating: “Affordability has long been my top priority as governor, and it is the No. 1 concern I share with Mr. Mamdani.”

Public safety emerged as a critical discussion point, with Hochul noting: “I also shared with him my priorities, making it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe. I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed.”

The governor addressed concerns about antisemitism, explaining: “We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally. I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly.”

Economic priorities also factored heavily into their conversations. Hochul stated: “I emphasized to him my belief in keeping and attracting businesses so that New York remains the center of the global economy and we create even more good-paying jobs for our residents.”

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.