{"id":2500223,"date":"2025-10-17T16:37:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T20:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stefanik-says-hochul-endorsed-mamdani-out-of-fear-for-primary-challenge\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T16:38:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T20:38:28","slug":"stefanik-says-hochul-endorsed-mamdani-out-of-fear-for-primary-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stefanik-says-hochul-endorsed-mamdani-out-of-fear-for-primary-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Stefanik says Hochul endorsed Mamdani out of fear for primary challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstefanik-says-hochul-endorsed-mamdani-out-of-fear-for-primary-challenge%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2500223&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Representative Elise stefanik (R-NY) has accused New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) of endorsing mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani out of fear that Mamdani&#8217;s progressive movement might challenge her in a primary. Stefanik&#8217;s claim follows an undercover video where a Mamdani <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-in-delaware-revokes-attorney-lin-woods-appearance-as-counsel-for-carter-page-after-filing-georgia-and-wisconsin-cases-against-2020-voter-fraud\/\" title=\"Judge in Delaware Revokes Attorney Lin Wood\u2019s Appearance as Counsel for Carter Page After Filing Georgia and Wisconsin Cases Against 2020 Voter Fraud\">campaign staffer<\/a> suggested Mamdani&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >large volunteer base<\/a> could work against Hochul&#8217;s opponent, though the full context of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/american-correspondent-for-ukraine-suspended-after-threatening-critics-of-u-s-involvement-in-russian-war\/\" title=\"US Correspondent for Ukraine Suspended for Threatening Critics of US Role in Russian Conflict\">video remains unclear<\/a>. Mamdani, backed by progressive groups like the Democratic Socialists of America and known for controversial stances such as defunding the police, was endorsed by Hochul after months of delay. Stefanik,who may run for governor in 2026,used the endorsement to criticize Hochul as politically weak and aligned with radical elements. Stefanik&#8217;s campaign shows her trailing Hochul by a narrow margin in hypothetical matchup polls. The mayoral race and related political dynamics in New York are drawing intense scrutiny ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial contest.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Stefanik alleges Hochul endorsed Mamdani out of fear for primary challenge<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2375940\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elise-stefanik\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Elise Stefanik<\/a> (R-NY) believes Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kathy-hochul\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kathy Hochul<\/a> (D-NY) endorsed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york-city\/page\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New York City <\/a>mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani out of fear he would mobilize his progressive movement against her.<\/p>\n<p>Stefanik made the claim after an <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/scrowder\/status\/1978924390923268244\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">undercover video <\/a>showed a Mamdani campaign staffer saying Mamdani would tell his &ldquo;60,000 volunteers&rdquo; to work for Hochul&rsquo;s opponent, though it&rsquo;s unclear why he would. Mamdani is favored to win against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3854895\/joe-concha-new-jersey-governors-race-is-now-a-coin-flip-mikie-sherrill-polling-dropping\/\">Joe Concha says New Jersey governor&rsquo;s race is now a &lsquo;coin flip&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3854707\/jackie-norris-drops-iowa-senate-bid\/\">Iowa Senate candidate drops bid to focus on school board after superintendent was arrested by ICE<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3854650\/mamdani-nyc-mayoral-debate-performance-opponents-hopes-blow-his-campaign\/\">Mamdani debate performance dashes opponents&#8217; hopes of a blow to his campaign momentum<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">The video appeared edited, and it&rsquo;s unclear what context the campaign staffer, appearing to be canvass director&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/robert-akleh-11790161\/overlay\/about-this-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\">Robert Akleh<\/a>, said it under.<\/span> Akleh also said it took a couple of months for Hochul, &ldquo;to find out that we&rsquo;re the Democratic nominee now,&rdquo; about her delay to endorse him.<\/p>\n<p>He later added that he thought this about the New York police officer&rsquo;s thoughts on Mamdani: &ldquo;Who gives a sh*t what they think? You&rsquo;re a city employee. Tell you, you get told what to do. Shut up.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Stefanik, who may run for governor against Hochul in 2026, pounced.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Kathy Hochul was forced to bend the knee and endorse Zohran Mamdani, a terrorist jihadist sympathizer whose political team threatened her with a primary if she did not endorse the antisemite, Defund the Police Communist backed by the Democrat Socialists of America whose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newly-resurfaced-mamdani-clip-completely-blows-up-democrats-latest-talking-point\/\" title=\"Newly Resurfaced Mamdani Clip Completely Blows Up Democrats&#039; Latest Talking Point\">platform includes defunding<\/a> the police and terrorism,&rdquo; she said in a statement shared with the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Everyone in New York politics understands that Kathy Hochul is a politically weak Governor and was forced to bend the knee to Mamdani and the DSA in exchange for them not primarying her. And last night, Mamdani embarrassed Hochul on the debate stage, refusing to endorse her. Clearly, Commie Mamdani is the puppet master of the Worst Governor in America,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<p>Hochul endorsed Mamdani in September after holding out for months on backing him. She called him &ldquo;a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Stefanik had been eager to link Hochul to the Democratic-socialist, who could play well in New York City but less so with the state&rsquo;s Republican and moderate voters. The endorsement gave Stefanik concrete negative messaging on Hochul, who has disagreed with Mamdani on things like raising taxes.<\/p>\n<p>A recent internal poll from Stefanik&rsquo;s campaign showed the Republican within about 5 points of beating Hochul, 43% to 48%. That&rsquo;s if she does decide to run, and if Hochul can make it out of a contentious primary already featuring her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3845694\/elise-stefanik-12-million-dollars-campaign-war-chest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">STEFANIK REPORTS $12 MILLION CAMPAIGN WAR CHEST AS MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR GOVERNOR RUN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stefanik could make her decision as to whether she&rsquo;ll run after the New York City mayoral election on Nov. 4.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the Mamdani and Hochul campaigns for comment, but did not receive a response.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stefanik claims Hochul backed Mamdani fearing a primary challenge<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2500224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mamdanistefanik-e1760732290543.jpg?1760712013&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[8433,56552,39035,37676,3973],"class_list":["post-2500223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-hochul","tag-mamdani","tag-political-endorsement","tag-primary-challenge","tag-stefanik"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mamdanistefanik-e1760732290543.jpg?1760712013&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2500223"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2500227,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500223\/revisions\/2500227"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2500224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2500223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2500223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2500223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}