NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Kathy Hochul has won the endorsement of the New York State Democratic Party's chairman nine months ahead of what could be a crowded Democratic primary for governor.
As the rumblings get louder over a potentially messy 2022 primary, Jay Jacobs said Monday that he had to make his voice heard.
"I believe that a party torn apart by multiple candidates in multiple primaries for multiple offices will exhaust precious resources, divide us and make us weaker," Jacobs said, adding that he is personally endorsing Hochul in the primary next June. "She will have a message that resonates with the overwhelming majority of New York voters."
Jacobs also believes that Hochul would be able to overcome any Republican challenger.
"Those who say a Republican cannot get elected governor in New York I think are foolish," Jacobs said.
Hochul, at an unrelated event in Brooklyn, said she's happy to get the support, but insists her attention is elsewhere.
"My point is I'm already governing, we're governing well. We have a lot more challenges and the politics will play out themselves," Hochul said. "I'm happy to have the support of Jay Jacobs but again I'm so focused on COVID, getting money out to hard-hit sectors, getting this economy back."
Though, several reports indicate Hochul is laying the foundation for a big fundraising operation.
Another potential candidate for governor, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, tweeted that Jacobs should be staying impartial.
Notably Jacobs said he called former Gov. Andrew Cuomo before making his announcement.
"I felt as a courtesy to the former governor that I should call him," Jacobs said. "He was one of probably 10 calls that I made."
He added that Cuomo hasn't expressed any interest in running again.
The former governor, meanwhile, did send out an email to his supporters Monday morning criticizing the current state of affairs.
