Kathy Hochul stuck with Biden until the very end

Joe Biden’s stunning exit from the presidential race Sunday was generally hailed as “energizing” by New York Democrats. And though the state’s top Democrat, Gov. Kathy Hochul, was left holding the bag in some regards, she could still stand to benefit as well.

Hochul demonstrated singular loyalty to Biden, becoming a surrogate for him on cable news and beyond. As recently as Thursday, she had doubled down on her support for Biden even as other Democrats – including her own lieutenant governor – called on him to drop out of the race. “As long as Joe Biden is in it to win it, I’m there with him,” Hochul said in an interview with the Times Union’s Capitol Confidential, though added a slight caveat. “Obviously, if there’s a change, there’s a change. We’re adaptable.”

That change abruptly came about on Sunday with Biden’s decision, announced through a letter posted on X. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote. “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.” 

Hochul, one of New York’s automatic delegates to the convention, thanked Biden in a short statement released following the announcement. “Joe Biden is an American hero, a true statesman, and he'll go down in history as one of the greatest champions of working families our nation has ever known,” the governor said in a post on X.

Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be his replacement as the Democratic nominee, a pick echoed by many other Democrats, including in New York. Hochul did not follow suit until several hours later, but did offer her full-throated support of the vice president Sunday evening. “Kamala is a champion of justice who will fight every single day for a woman’s right to choose, for middle class families, and for the integrity of our democracy,” Hochul said in a statement. “I am confident she will deliver for New Yorkers and am proud to stand beside her.”

Although the endorsement did not come immediately, political observers believe that Harris’ entrance into the race will only serve to help Hochul. “I think Hochul puts her energies behind Harris,” Democratic consultant Lupe Todd-Medina said in a text. “Harris is a woman, and Hochul endorsing Harris will also have the added benefit of providing the governor with opportunities within the Black and brown communities.” 

“She doesn’t lose anything by supporting VP Harris since Biden endorsed right after his announcement,” said Basil Smikle, lecturer of international and public affairs at Columbia University and a former executive director of the state Democratic Party. He also said that Hochul’s staunch and steadfast support of Biden won’t harm her even though he has now dropped out – and that her loyalty will play well with many members of her base. “Many people believe he was pushed out unfairly and treated unfairly,” Smikle said in a text. “Joe is the one that will end up being the heroic figure here, not anyone who pushed him out… A good percentage of the base, which is also her base, still supported him, including voters of color.”

At the very least, the exit of Biden could prove to have little impact specifically on Hochul, despite her support of the president until the very end. “I think it doesn’t mean much for her, like many high profile Democrats who stood with Biden,” said Democratic consultant Jake Dilemani. “Their imperative is beating Trump and the rally effect will likely outweigh any previous positions on Biden’s candidacy.”