Hochul, Mamdani, and Ocasio-Cortez rally in Queens

Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared together at Murphy’s in Astoria on Sunday afternoon. They watched the first half of a Buffalo Bills victory over the Baltimore Ravens while speaking with voters in Queens. The event took place on the final day of early voting for the gubernatorial race, with Hochul facing Republican nominee Bruce Blakeman on Tuesday.

This gathering marked the first time Ocasio-Cortez campaigned in person with Hochul during the re-election bid. The alliance signals a consolidation of progressive lawmakers behind the governor, who has largely resisted efforts to impose new taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents. Hochul had previously visited Mamdani’s bar last year ahead of the mayoral election, and the mayor returned the favor by campaigning with her on the final stretch of the current cycle.

The group addressed the political fallout from Representative Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Michigan Republican Mike Rogers. Stevens, a Democrat who lost her primary to Abdul El-Sayed, withdrew her support for the Democratic nominee. Hochul declined to comment on the decision, stating she was focused on work in New York. She argued that state actions influence the national future and called for Hakeem Jeffries to become Speaker of the House to establish a firewall against political instability.

Ocasio-Cortez took a sharper stance, criticizing Stevens for making the Senate race about her personal grievances. She told pool reporters that the Constitution was at stake and that El-Sayed was the necessary leader for the moment. Mamdani posted on social media later that day, accusing Stevens of betraying working-class people who face high rent and healthcare costs. He noted that Stevens endorsed the very Republican she initially sought to defeat.

Despite the national controversy, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that she and Mamdani were setting aside minor ideological differences to support Hochul. She described their unity as essential for winning, stating that the stakes were too high for the party to be consumed by internal disagreements. The message was aimed at voters in Queens, a district that often swings between parties in competitive years.

The relationship between the mayor and the governor remains defined by fiscal policy. Mamdani’s campaign centered on funding free buses and universal childcare through wealth taxes. The current pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes is projected to raise only $500 million annually, a figure far below the estimated $7 billion needed for his platform. Mamdani told reporters he has not discussed new tax increases with Hochul but values her as a straightforward partner in government.

Hochul was previously drowned out by chants of “tax the rich” during a campaign stop at Forest Hills Stadium in 2025. She has since acquiesced to the second-home levy but has resisted broader wealth tax proposals. Mamdani expressed concern that a victory for Blakeman could terminate progress made by City Hall in the past ten months. The trio finished their appearance at the bar as the Bills secured a comprehensive win.

The presence of three high-profile Democrats in a sports bar illustrates the strategy of blending cultural appeal with direct voter outreach. By appearing in a casual setting, the candidates aimed to project accessibility. The event concluded with the candidates thanking staff and exiting to a waiting press corps, wrapping up the final day of early voting activities for the gubernatorial campaign.