Ny Governor Kathy Hochul Faces Fiery 'Tax The Rich!' Chants At Mamdani Rally

Heated Reception for Governor Hochul

New York Governor Kathy Hochul found herself in the hot seat during a Sunday rally in Queens for socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Despite her formal endorsement of Mamdani in September, the crowd was less than welcoming, greeting her with aggressive chants of “Tax the rich!” as captured in video footage.

Hochul’s endorsement had highlighted Mamdani’s alignment with her vision of a safe and opportunity-rich New York. She had previously praised him, stating, “I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe.” Yet, her appearance was marred by the crowd's fervor, largely due to her earlier opposition to Mamdani's tax proposals.

Contentious Tax Proposals

Governor Hochul had previously criticized Mamdani's plans to introduce a 2% income tax on New Yorkers earning over $1 million and to increase the corporate tax to 11.5%. In a June interview, she had made her stance clear, simply stating “No” when asked if she supported these tax hikes. This disagreement over taxes seems to have fueled the fiery reception she received at the rally.

“Right now, our city and our state and our country are under attack by Donald Trump and our Republicans in Washington,” Hochul stated amidst the heckling.

Even as Hochul attempted to make her remarks, the chants only grew louder. A slip-up in pronouncing Mamdani’s name added to the tensions, drawing further rebuke from the crowd. Her attempt to engage with the audience fell flat, as she addressed them, emphasizing their excitement and urging them to welcome Mamdani enthusiastically.

Reactions and Political Context

The scene drew sharp commentary from political figures like New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who criticized Hochul's handling of the event. Stefanik pointed to the rally as evidence of Hochul’s unpopularity, describing her as the “least liked Governor in the country.” The encounter highlighted the political friction within New York, as Mamdani's supporters continued to push their agenda fiercely.

Ultimately, Mamdani joined Hochul on stage, though he has yet to endorse her in the gubernatorial race. The rally underscored the complexities of New York politics, where alliances can be as contentious as they are crucial.