AOC is quietly growing more powerful than people realize.
New York Democrats are signaling a major power shift as every House Democrat from the state — all 19 lawmakers — publicly backs Governor Kathy Hochul for another term. The unified endorsement includes progressive heavyweight Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, underscoring how her influence inside the Democratic Party continues to expand.
The endorsements come ahead of the state Democratic convention in Syracuse, where Hochul is expected to secure renomination with little resistance. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado remains a potential challenger, but party insiders view his path forward as increasingly narrow.
In a joint statement reported by the New York Times, House Democrats praised Hochul’s leadership while sharply criticizing Republicans in Washington. The statement framed Hochul as a unifying figure for Democrats at a time when national politics remain deeply divided.
Among those backing Hochul are House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Ocasio-Cortez, and Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi — notably a former primary challenger who once attempted to unseat the governor.
Hochul also received a high-profile endorsement from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who publicly supported her in a Thursday opinion piece published by The Nation. While acknowledging ideological differences, Mamdani described their working relationship as effective and cooperative.
He credited Hochul with protecting state-funded programs and supporting infrastructure investment, while emphasizing improved coordination between Albany and City Hall after years of political tension.
If Democratic voters formally renominate Hochul in the June 23 primary, the 67-year-old governor is expected to enter the general election as the frontrunner. She would likely face a Republican opponent backed by President Donald Trump, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman widely viewed as the leading GOP contender.
Delgado, 49, still has a narrow opportunity to reach the ballot. To qualify, he must either win the support of at least 25 percent of convention delegates or submit petitions with 15,000 valid signatures from registered Democrats by the April 6 deadline — a challenging task as Democratic leadership continues to consolidate around Hochul.