Senate Minority Express Concerns Over Hochul Endorsement
September 18, 2025
Albany, New York- Following Governor Hochul’s recent endorsement of Democratic Socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, the Senate Republican Conference penned a letter to the Governor demanding she clarify her stance on several consequential pieces of legislation championed by Mr. Mamdani. Members of the Senate Republican Conference in the letter express serious concerns about whether the Governor prioritizes criminals over victims, her stance on Israel, and her commitment to addressing affordability for New Yorkers.
“Now that Governor Hochul has endorsed Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of NYC, New Yorkers have the right to know where she stands on policies championed by Mr. Mamdani. Will she defend law-abiding New Yorkers or cave to the radical left’s pro-criminal, anti-police, tax-hiking, and antisemitic agenda?” stated Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
The letter reads, “With the legislative session fast approaching, your public support for Mr. Mamdani may reasonably be interpreted as an endorsement of the policies he champions. The people of New York therefore have a right to know whether you support or oppose specific legislative proposals listed below.”
“Leftist Democrat policies have already made New York less affordable, less safe and more unlivable. The Governor has now revealed that she embraces Mr. Mamdani’s vision for a socialist State which will only bring more misery for New Yorkers,” said Deputy Senate Republican Leader Andrew Lanza.
“Every dollar in Albany comes from hardworking taxpayers, and Assemblyman Mamdani’s agenda leans heavily on those dollars. His proposals would expand government spending and put an even greater burden on families already struggling with the high cost of living in New York. Governor Hochul owes the public clarity on whether her endorsement of Assemblyman Mamdani also signals support for this costly and radical policy agenda,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.
“I can't figure out if the governor is really buying into this fantasy that Mamdani is peddling, or if she's playing politics with the future of NY. Whatever it may be, her endorsement of a radical candidate like Zohran Mamdani is not about values; it is about fear. She is afraid of a primary challenge from the far left, and it is to the detriment of every single New Yorker. There's only one thing left to do, we have the votes. We have to energize the voters to stop this far fetched fantasy in its tracks, and continue to elect candidates that make sense. And I'm not just talking about the NYC mayoral race,” said Senator Steve Chan.
“Mamdani's vision for NYC would slam city residents with higher taxes, drive businesses out of the state, and make New Yorkers less safe by defunding the police and embracing sanctuary policies. Add to this his hateful and antisemitic rhetoric, and it's clear that Governor Hochul is turning her back on everyday New Yorkers by endorsing his platform,” said Senator Jack Martins.
“It’s truly disappointing to see Governor Hochul abandon the people she was elected to serve — just to pander to the radical left and support Zohran Mamdani, a self-declared Socialist, for Mayor of New York City. It is vital that she immediately makes it clear that she actually stands with police officers, working families, or small business owners by repudiating his extreme ideology. Anything less is a complete betrayal of hardworking New Yorkers who deserve safety, sanity, and common sense,” said Senator Mario Mattera.
“Her endorsement of socialist Zorhan Mamdani shows the world that Governor Hochul is willing to compromise any core value for her own political benefit. With a list of Mamdani-sponsored pro-criminal, anti-Israel, high tax and job killing legislation already filed and awaiting action by the Legislature, Senate Republicans and all New Yorkers have the right to know how much more of your safety, prosperity and liberty she's willing to sacrifice,” said Senator Steve Rhoads.
Legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani:
• A.6101 / S.606 - Prohibits not-for-profit corporations from supporting Israel
• A.127 / S.159 – Dramatically changes the parole system by requiring the Parole Board to release inmates to parole unless there is a current and unreasonable risk of reoffending.
• A.514 / S.454 - Mandates parole hearings for every inmate age 55+ who has served at least 15 years, regardless of offense.
• A.676 / S.1439 - Imposes a new tax on long-term capital gains.
• A.1085 / S.342 – Allows prisoners, including violent felons, to serve only 25% of their sentence.
• A.1281 / S.1622 - Increases the state income tax.
• A.1297 / S.1209 - Eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences.
• A.4181 / S.316 - Prohibits immigration detention centers in New York State.
• A.4916 / S.7617 - Authorizes taxpayer-funded injection sites for illegal drugs.
• A.4929 / S.3600 - Decriminalizes possession of controlled substances.
• A.6990 / S.6222 - Provides $2,500 in taxpayer funds to inmates upon release from prison.