New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani flew to Puerto Rico this week to attend the annual Somos Conference, a gathering of elected officials focused on the island’s recovery and future.
Advocating for Federal Commitment
Both leaders spoke optimistically about the political landscape following what they called a Democratic “blue wave” in the recent midterm elections. Mamdani said the results could open new opportunities for working‑class Americans, noting, “There’s a potential in that, that we can finally start to deliver for working class people across this country.”
Hochul emphasized the need for the federal government to renew its responsibility to Puerto Rico, describing the past two years as an “abandonment of that commitment” and expressing hope that the wounds will heal.
Potential Benefits of Democratic Control
The governor highlighted that Democratic control of Congress could help secure additional resources for the island, which continues to grapple with chronic power outages and water shortages. She also raised concerns about immigration enforcement, stating, “And to stop the overreach of ICE in small communities in upstate New York, the streets of New York or San Juan.”
Continued Collaboration
Despite any policy differences, Mamdani affirmed his intention to keep working with Hochul, saying, “I continue to hold those positions. I’m also looking forward to continuing a productive working relationship with our governor to deliver for working people.”
The visit underscored the longstanding ties between Puerto Rico and New York, and the officials pledged to keep advocating for federal aid and fair immigration practices as they move forward.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
