In the short video, Mamdani calls Blakeman “a bad apple” and criticizes his opposition to Hochul and Mamdani’s push to expand no-cost child care, as well as his pledge to cut Medicaid spending in half. Blakeman has also criticized the child-care proposal.

The video is Mamdani’s first clear public show of support for Hochul’s campaign since endorsing her in February. Early voting is set to begin in more than a week. In Brooklyn on Thursday, Mamdani said he intends to campaign with the governor: “I look forward to being out there with her on the trail in the weeks to come.”

Hochul’s campaign did not say whether it plans to use the video as a paid advertisement. Campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika accused Blakeman of calling working parents who use universal child care “lazy,” praising federal immigration agents and proposing deep Medicaid cuts. Blakeman’s campaign has disputed the governor and mayor’s policy approach, while he has said he supports universal child care for working parents.

Blakeman responded by blaming Hochul and Mamdani for high taxes and utility costs, and said they could not be trusted. He also criticized Mamdani’s promise of free bus rides, pointing to a fare increase instead.

The exchange comes amid a close-quarters political calculation for Hochul: polls have consistently shown her ahead of Blakeman, but she has been performing below what might be expected in a state where Democrats hold a substantial voter-registration advantage. Mamdani is popular in New York City but more polarizing in suburban areas, and Blakeman has sought to make the mayor a central issue in the governor’s race.

At a televised debate earlier this week, Hochul criticized Blakeman’s support for President Donald Trump. Blakeman did not bring up Mamdani until about 45 minutes into the debate, then called the mayor “antisemite” and “anti-Christian” and questioned his American values.

Hochul and Mamdani have built a working relationship despite differences within the Democratic Party. She endorsed his mayoral campaign after his primary victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and urged him to keep Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, a decision that drew criticism from Mamdani’s left flank. Hochul has also approved more state aid for New York City and supported a new tax on expensive second homes to help address the city’s finances.