Hochul’s Advice for Mamdani: Focus on New York City

Gov. Kathy Hochul had some rare public advice for Zohran Mamdani, the mayor whose whirlwind ascent and audacious approach to governing have made him a global figure: Pay attention to New York, not Israel.

In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, Ms. Hochul was asked about Mr. Mamdani’s call last month for the federal government to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he called a war criminal. His rhetoric drew international attention and some condemnation, with Mr. Netanyahu accusing the mayor of “fomenting hate” — an allegation some Jewish leaders echoed as the city confronts a rise in antisemitic attacks.

Ms. Hochul, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of her swearing-in, tiptoed around the differences between herself, a fierce supporter of Israel, and Mr. Mamdani, a fierce critic. But when asked whether Mr. Mamdani’s approach might worsen the uneasiness felt by many Jewish New Yorkers, she offered frank, if gentle, guidance.

“I encourage him to — ‘let’s focus on the blocking and tackling of city government,’” the governor said, noting the two leaders’ shared emphasis on expanding child care, improving bus speeds and building housing. “That is where I believe the main focus should be.”

In the 40-minute interview, Ms. Hochul, who faces the Republican Bruce Blakeman in her re-election bid in November, outlined her views on a range of topics but sidestepped many others. Her remarks also provided telling insight into the partnership that Ms. Hochul, 67, has built with Mr. Mamdani, 34, and the divisions that remain between them.

The governor said that she had “no intention” of raising taxes or implementing new ones in the coming year, but indicated that could change if there were additional unforeseen cuts in federal aid to New York. (This year, facing deep cuts in such aid and a city budget deficit, Ms. Hochul did approve a new tax on high-end second homes in New York City — allowing Mr. Mamdani to deliver, at least in part, on his campaign promise to “tax the rich.”)

She declined to take a position on whether Amazon should hire employees rather than third-party contractors to make deliveries, as unions, City Council members and Mr. Mamdani have demanded.

And while Ms. Hochul, a self-described “Biden Democrat,” has at times seemed dismissive of the insurgent leftist movement led by democratic socialists like Mr. Mamdani, on Wednesday she said the movement’s goals were in line with core Democratic values like expanding health care and education.

“We take care of people — that’s the F.D.R., J.F.K., Bill Clinton, Obama, Biden wing of the party, and that has not changed,” Ms. Hochul said.

She rejected the premise that socialist victories in primaries across the nation were a threat to the party, saying she welcomed the energy they represented, particularly from young people.

The comments marked a difference between Ms. Hochul and the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New Yorker who, during an appearance on “Meet the Press” this month, distanced himself from “the D.S.A. agenda.”

Even so, there is no shortage of deep disagreements between the moderate Ms. Hochul and Mr. Mamdani, and few are as thorny as their stances on Israel and its war in Gaza.

In the aftermath of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Ms. Hochul argued for the nation’s right to defend itself, even implying that it would be justified in destroying Gaza — remarks that Mr. Mamdani, then a state ***emblyman, called “disgusting.” (The governor later apologized.) But her views evolved after reports of starvation among Palestinians, which she called “unconscionable.”

On Wednesday, the governor repeatedly steered the conversation back to New York and her administration’s efforts to protect all marginalized communities. But she reaffirmed her commitment to the safety of Jewish New Yorkers. “I will throw my body against any antisemitism,” she said. “I have, and I will.”

Despite their differences, Mr. Mamdani has sought to find common ground with the governor, complimenting her pragmatic but unflinching relationship with President Trump and her efforts to restrict the operations of federal immigration agents. He has zealously backed her re-election.

In the interview, Ms. Hochul also emphasized her concerns about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, suggesting that federal agents’ presence might intimidate voters in November.

“They’re going to be at polling places,” she said, “and it’s very threatening for Black and brown citizens.”

While she has been forceful in her public criticism, Ms. Hochul said she has also employed more diplomatic tactics, pressing the president — thus far unsuccessfully — for an extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Salvadoran immigrants who fled violence.

In a recent phone conversation with Mr. Trump, “I said, ‘I need them. They’re hard-working. They’re part of our community,’” Ms. Hochul said of the immigrants, many of whom work as home health aides. “We’re going to have a health care crisis of epic proportions when people don’t show up the next day for Grandma and Grandpa,” she recalled saying.

What was Mr. Trump’s response?

“‘I’ll look into it,’” Ms. Hochul said with a sigh.