By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-22 19:55:38 | Updated at 2024-11-23 01:04:33
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New York Rep. Ritchie Torres on Friday called Gov. Kathy Hochul the “new Joe Biden” — suggesting she shouldn’t run for re-election — in yet another not-so-subtle sign the Bronx Democrat is considering jumping into the race.
Torres, in a post on X, pointed to Hochul’s dismal favorability rating, which at one point this year even dipped below that of President-elect Donald Trump in deep-blue New York.
“Kathy Hochul is the new Joe Biden,” the congressman wrote. “She may be in denial about the depth of her vulnerabilities as a Democratic nominee.
Dem Rep. Ritchie Torres blasted Gov. Kathy Hochul on X, Friday effectively calling on the incumbent governor not to stand for reelection. Getty Images“A Democratic incumbent who is less popular in New York than Donald Trump is in grave danger of losing to a Republican in 2026–an outcome not seen in 30 years,” Torres continued.
“Waiting until it’s too late gave us a Republican President in 2024 and could give us a Republican Governor in 2026,” he added. “Let’s avoid repeating history and avoid sleepwalking toward impending disaster and defeat.”
Torres — a strong supporter of Israel since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack — has been making inroads in recent months, especially with business interests.
During a Citizens Budget Commission event in Manhattan this week, he ripped New York’s “misgovernance” — leading political insiders to believe he could be eyeing the Executive Mansion.
Sources have suggested in recent months that Hochul’s team is terrified of a primary challenge by Torres, who could court her supposed base of moderate Democrats.
A spokesperson for Hochul — who is up for reelection in 2026 — touted New York Democrats’ gains in the US House of Representatives during the November election.
Per the most recent Siena College poll 36% of respondents gave Hochul a favorable rating and 51% gave her an unfavorable rating. Paul Martinka“Governor Hochul is proud to have led New York Democrats in a successful election cycle, giving Congressman Torres four new Democratic colleagues in Congress,” the rep said in a statement Friday.
“The governor remains focused on delivering results for New Yorkers, from driving down crime to lowering costs for working families.”
State Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs, a close ally of Hochul, recently defended the governor during an interview on WCNY’s the Capitol Pressroom.
“No, I don’t see that at all,” Jacobs said asked by host David Lombardo whether Democrats should look for a new standard-barer in 2026.
While Jacobs said he would be “surprised” to see a serious primary challenge, but in the same breath said Democrats are vulnerable to Republicans who are gaining ground in the Empire State.
“In this time, when I think we have to be more concerned with the potential of a Republican becoming governor, because you look at the state and some of the shifts, I think it’s time for Democrats to come together and rally around this governor and rally around a more moderate centrist approach to government,” Jacobs said.
