Long Island Democrats Omit Governor Hochul from Campaign Endorsement Lists

Several Long Island Democratic candidates have left Governor Kathy Hochul off their websites' endorsement sections, prompting speculation that the governor’s popularity may be a liability on the island.

A number of Democratic hopefuls on Long Island have omitted Governor Kathy Hochul from the endorsement sections of their campaign websites, a move that insiders interpret as a strategic distancing. Congressional members Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, as well as state Assembly candidates such as Kim Keiserman and Craig Herskowitz, list unions, federal leaders and local officials but make no mention of Hochul. Sources claim the governor’s support for progressive mayor Zohran Mamdani may turn off suburban voters, especially after the 2022 gubernatorial race where Republican Lee Zeldin won Nassau and Suffolk by large margins.

Party chair Jay Jacobs argues that Hochul leads in Nassau polls and that her issues are favored, yet he acknowledges the difficulty of beating Republican Bruce Blakeman on his home turf. The pattern suggests a cautious approach by Long Island Democrats who fear that aligning with the governor could hurt their electoral prospects.