When Zohran Mamdani attended Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State speech last year, he was just one of more than 100 Democratic state assemblymembers — and a low-polling long-shot mayoral candidate.
On Tuesday he made a triumphant return to Albany as New York City mayor.
The affordability message that fueled his winning campaign is now being imitated by Hochul, who is running for re-election this year.
Mamdani got the celebrity treatment – Albany style. Many of his former colleagues gave him a standing ovation in the Assembly chamber.
The 34-year-old then rode in the elevator with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on his way to The Egg, the brutalist concrete theater where Hochul gave her remarks. At the speech, he took his seat in the fourth row, between Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens.
Mamdani was the only local official the governor introduced by name, and the announcement drew sustained cheers and applause. When Hochul played a video message from local mayors and county executives, Mamdani was featured prominently.
“She’s been focused on making New York more affordable, and is a trusted partner in our shared fight for universal child care,” Mamdani said in the video.
Last week, they stood shoulder to shoulder as she announced her plan to fund an expansion of child care statewide, including funding for the first two years of a child care program for 2-year-olds, referred to as 2-care, in New York City. She repeated her commitment on Tuesday.
“ This plan will ultimately deliver universal child care for every single family in New York, full stop,” said Hochul, prompting Mamdani to spring from his seat to lead a standing ovation.
Mamdani’s platform has dominated the conversation so much that legislators said they were being careful to ensure New York City is not the only beneficiary of expanded access to child care.
”We want to make sure that we recognize that we have 2-year-olds in upstate New York as well,” said state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester Democrat. “So how are we going to apply the governor's pilot program for universal child care in communities outside of New York City?”
Some of Mamdani’s other priorities did not make it into Hochul’s address. But in a break from the traditional battles that often define the relationship between New York City’s mayor and the state, Mamdani said he is focused on partnership.
“Governor Hochul and I are intent on charting a new course of cooperation,” Mamdani told reporters after the event.
At the same, he said he plans to continue lobbying for more big-ticket items, such as his proposal for fast and free buses.
“ What gives me a real sense of hope and confidence is that the greatest accomplishments we've ever had in the fight for free buses have come through Albany in the past,” Mamdani said. “I continue to believe that it can come through Albany in the future.”
He also said he will continue to make the case for his entire affordability agenda, including raising revenue through tax hikes on corporations and the wealthiest New Yorkers. Hochul has said she opposes those increases.
After the speech, Mamdani was mobbed by people leaving the theater. New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer took the mayor aside to lobby him to keep Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber, who tendered her resignation last week.
But even some of the mayor's friends were unable to get space on his dance card — including state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, one of his early endorsers in the Legislature. They have texted, but didn't link up in person.
"He obviously was a busy guy," Rivera said. "I certainly was happy to see him back up in Albany, sitting in a different part of the room."
Those issues were the twin pillars of Hochul’s 56-minute speech. She unveiled a package of proposals she estimated would save affected families nearly $5,000 a year. It included a tax cut for 77% of New York filers, rebate checks and expanded credits for child care.
Ballot Box
This week we're wondering: Should the state tax the rich to pay for Mayor Mamdani’s affordability agenda?
Last week we asked: Do you agree with Mamdani's decision to rescind Adams' executive orders related to Israel and antisemitism?
“As a Jewish New Yorker, Adams’ orders worsen antisemitism by associating a diverse Jewish community with a genocidal state. Mamdani is protecting Jews and putting New York before Israel.”
- Jacob, Brooklyn
“All communities in NYC deserve to be safe. Antisemitism has been showing its ugly head in so many ways. Jews need to be safe. And targeting Israel is really just another form of hating Jews. We don’t boycott countries when we dislike what their government is doing. It’s another version of libels that have been leveled time and time again.”
- Cara, Manhattan
“I strongly disagree with the decision to rescind those executive orders. As a Jewish person, I view them as an important signal that antisemitism is taken seriously and addressed at an institutional level. Rolling them back risks minimizing a real and ongoing concern for Jewish communities.”
- Yaniv, Manhattan
“Adams issued them towards the end of his term specifically to impede Mamdani the same way he tried in other ways to throw obstacles in the new mayor's way. Adams has used the Jewish community in NYC to advance his own interests, not because he cares so much about us.”
- Lisa, Brooklyn
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7 headlines
(1) Gov. Kathy Hochul used her fifth State of the State address to set up her 2026 re-election campaign. Here was her pitch.
(3) Mayor Mamdani nominated Midori Valdivia as the next chair of the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Here’s more about her.
(4) A militant pro-Israel group accused of using violence, harassment and intimidation against Arab, Muslim and Jewish New Yorkers has agreed to cease operations in New York. Here’s more on their settlement.
(6) Recent changes in how New Jersey organizes ballots means 11 Democrats and a lone Republican are all competing for Mikie Sherrill’s congressional seat. Here’s more on the competition.
(7) A City Council employee was detained by federal immigration authorities Monday during a routine immigration court appointment on Long Island. Here’s what happened.
