Governor Hochul's critic, Congressman Ritchie Torres, modifies his harsh stance
In a surprising turn of events, New York Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from the South Bronx, has publicly endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul in the Democratic mayoral primary. This marks a significant shift from their previous public disagreements on various issues, including crime rates, home health care changes, and the governor's past support from the National Rifle Association.
Torres, who had been critical of Hochul in the past, has now praised her effectiveness at resisting Trump's agenda. In a rally in his South Bronx district, he declared, "Governor, I want you to know we stand with you... Gov. Hochul stands with the Bronx."
This reconciliation between Hochul and Torres has bolstered Hochul's political standing in the Bronx ahead of the 2026 governor's race. It comes after the fallout between Hochul and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado last year.
Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, a North Country Republican, has expressed interest in running for the Republican nomination for Governor of New York in the 2026 election. Stefanik's potential bid could shake up the political landscape, as she is a vocal critic of Hochul's policies.
In the Democratic primary for governor in 2022, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is running against Hochul. The primary winner will face the Republican nominee in the general election.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has also seen Torres speaking out against famine in the Gaza Strip. Despite being a staunch advocate for Israel, Torres has expressed concerns about the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In a remarkable turn of events, the winner of the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Zohran Mamdani, has been critical of Israel's actions in the war. This could potentially lead to a more nuanced approach to U.S.-Israel relations if Mamdani were to become New York City's mayor.
Torres's message to those who might underestimate Governor Hochul is clear: it's risky. He compared Hochul's decision to seek reelection to that of former President Joe Biden, whose reelection bid was largely seen as dooming the Democratic party in 2024.
As the political landscape in New York continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the race for the governor's seat in 2026 is shaping up to be a fascinating contest.
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