New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race on Sept. 14, saying on social media that the city "deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers."

The governor's endorsement was announced in a New York Times op-ed, in which Hochul — a moderate Democrat — detailed what led to her decision and her conversations with the state assemblyman. She is the latest high-profile Democrat to endorse Mamdani, 33, following his upset victory in the June Democratic primary.

Mamdani's shocking primary win against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo had sent shockwaves among New York's Democratic establishment. Hochul initially declined to endorse Mamdani, who has been working to get endorsements from party leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements," Hochul wrote in the op-ed. "But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support."

"Zohran and I don’t see eye to eye on everything, and I don’t expect us to. I will always reserve the right to disagree honestly and to argue passionately," she further wrote. "But I also believe that New York State and New York City are at their best when we stand together against those who attempt to tear us apart."

In response to the endorsement, Mamdani said he was grateful for Hochul's "support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare."

"Governor Hochul has made affordability the centerpiece of her work," Mamdani said in a statement. "I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family."

New York Republicans react to Hochul's endorsement

Curtis Sliwa's campaign criticized Hochul's endorsement on Sept. 14, saying the "worst governor in America just endorsed the worst candidate for mayor." Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, a crime prevention organization, is the lone Republican candidate in the largely Democratic city.

"They deserve each other. New Yorkers see through the backroom politics and know Curtis Sliwa is fighting for them, not the insiders," said campaign spokesperson Daniel Kurzyna. "Curtis will be mayor this year, Elise Stefanik will be governor next year, and the nonsense will finally end."

Ed Cox, the chairman of the New York state Republican Party, shared similar sentiments and called Hochul the "Worst Governor in America."

"It's no wonder Kathy Hochul's New York continues to lead the nation in outmigration: New Yorkers are fleeing Democrats' worst-in-the-nation tax and regulatory regime, as well as their open embrace of extremism," Cox claimed.

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorses Zohran Mamdani in NYC mayoral race

Reporting by Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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