Brooklyn Democrats Withdraw Hochul Endorsement Over Running Mate

Party cites concerns over Hochul's choice of former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as lieutenant governor

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:23pm

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The Brooklyn Democratic Party has withdrawn its endorsement of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, just two days after initially backing her re-election bid. The party's decision comes after Hochul selected former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate for lieutenant governor, a choice the Brooklyn Democrats say they have concerns about.

Why it matters

The Brooklyn Democratic Party is a powerful political force in New York, and its withdrawal of support for Hochul is a significant blow to her campaign. The party's endorsement is seen as crucial for winning votes in the borough, which is a Democratic stronghold. Hochul's selection of Adams as her running mate appears to have been the key factor in the party's decision to rescind its backing.

The details

The Brooklyn Democrats had initially voted to endorse Hochul, along with incumbent Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Letitia James, who are also running for re-election. However, the party has now pulled its support for Hochul, citing concerns over her choice of Adrienne Adams as her lieutenant governor running mate.

  • The Brooklyn Democratic Party voted to endorse Hochul on February 2, 2026.
  • The party withdrew its endorsement of Hochul on February 4, 2026, just two days after initially backing her.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The current Governor of New York, who is running for re-election.

Adrienne Adams

The former New York City Council Speaker, who Hochul has selected as her running mate for lieutenant governor.

Brooklyn Democratic Party

A powerful political force in New York, which has withdrawn its endorsement of Hochul's re-election campaign.

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What’s next

The Brooklyn Democratic Party's decision to withdraw its endorsement of Hochul is likely to have significant implications for her campaign, as the party's support is seen as crucial for winning votes in the borough. It remains to be seen how Hochul will respond to this setback and whether she can regain the party's backing.

The takeaway

The Brooklyn Democratic Party's withdrawal of support for Governor Hochul highlights the importance of running mates in political campaigns, and the potential consequences of making choices that alienate key party factions. This development underscores the complex and often unpredictable nature of electoral politics in New York.