Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) is ignoring the political baggage that comes with her alliance with the Left, betting there is even greater upside in tapping into the grassroots enthusiasm she hopes will buoy her reelection campaign.

Hochul, a centrist running for a second full term as governor, has been relentlessly attacked by her GOP opponent, Bruce Blakeman, for appearing with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and helping implement certain elements of his agenda.