New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her endorsement of Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor in an op-ed published by The New York Times on Sunday night.

"The question of who will be the next mayor is one I take extremely seriously and to which I have devoted a great deal of thought. Tonight, I am endorsing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani," Hochul said.

What Hochul said about Mamdani endorsement

She went on to add that making New York more affordable was a primary joint goal between the two, also writing, "Zohran and I don't see eye to eye on everything, and I don't expect us to. I will always reserve the right to disagree honestly and to argue passionately. But I also believe that New York state and New York City are at their best when we stand together against those who attempt to tear us apart."

The endorsement comes as a recent New York Times/Siena College poll shows Mamdani widening his lead in a four-man race with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo coming in second, followed by Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and Mayor Eric Adams rounding out the set.

Mamdani released a statement that says, in part, "I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers' pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family."

NYC mayoral candidates react to Hochul's endorsement

Political strategist Arif Halaby says Hochul's endorsement isn't necessarily a surprise and comes this late in the race likely because she was waiting to see if any of the other candidates, primarily Adams and Cuomo, would drop out first.

"Well, it's a political calculation. We know that," he said. "I think throughout this weekend and throughout this last week, it's been clear that one of them will not leave the race, and so the clear winner, at least in her estimation, is probably Mr. Mamdani."

CBS News New York reached out to Adams and Cuomo about the endorsement, but did not hear back.

Sliwa spoke to CBS News New York about Hochul's endorsement while out at the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy on Sunday and claimed her decision will haunt her.

"As far as I'm concerned, she has set herself up to be beaten by Republican challenger [Congresswoman Elise] Stefanik next year," Sliwa said.

Stefanik posted on X in response to the endorsement, "Kathy Hochul is clearly too scared of her own abysmal polling among Democrat voters that she is desperately shoring up her far left Democrat flank."

Halaby believes, regardless, this endorsement is a massive win for Mamdani.

"There's no question, Zohran has got the lead," he said.

A consistent component of this race has been the rumors swirling about Adams dropping out. Cuomo's office has said several times that Adams is simply helping Mamdani by sticking around. 

CBS News New York reached out to Adams' office, and a spokesperson said he is unequivocally focused on winning reelection as New York City's mayor.