Hochul hits the campaign trail

Gov. Kathy Hochul was in full campaign mode during the final weekend of early voting, stumping for candidates across the state. She ended the statewide tour in New York City, appearing with Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Sunday afternoon and beginning Monday morning by encouraging voters to support four housing-related ballot proposals.

After a weekend of getting out the vote for candidates, Hochul’s closing message to voters in Manhattan’s Upper East Side was to vote in favor of four out of the six ballot proposals that are meant to fast-track affordable housing construction by cutting out much of the City Council’s role. They have broad support from pro-housing groups and a variety of officials, but unsurprisingly has faced opposition from the City Council.

“I'm all about taking down the barriers so we can start building so young people you see here today have a chance of having an affordable future in New York City,” Hochul told reporters after speaking to voters with city Comptroller Brad Lander and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. The governor has made housing a cornerstone of her first term in office, which she highlighted when speaking about the ballot proposals.

Asked about another proposal that she was not explicitly campaigning for, which would pave the way for even-year elections in the city, Hochul expressed support for it as well. “I want to increase the turnout, which happens in gubernatorial and presidential years, which are the even years,” she said. “I know what I have to do, and getting the elections aligned in a way that's beneficial is what I’m going to continue fighting for.” A 2023 law shifted most municipal races outside of the city to even years. Republicans failed to overturn the law in state court, but recently filed a new federal lawsuit challenging it.



https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/11/hochul-hits-campaign-trail/409261/?oref=csny-homepage-top-story