Brooklyn Democrats Withdraw Hochul Endorsement After Ticket Move

The Brooklyn Democratic Party has officially rescinded its endorsement of Governor Kathy Hochul following her decision to select former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate for lieutenant governor.

Endorsement Pulled After Hochul Names Adrienne Adams

The decision was announced February 4, 2026, by the Executive Committee of the Kings County Democratic County Committee, which represents the state’s largest Democratic delegation. Party leaders framed the move as a direct response to what they described as a “political miscalculation” by the Governor’s campaign.

“Political Miscalculation” and Lack of Consultation

In its statement, the Executive Committee said there is “no longer a majority of votes from Brooklyn State Committee Members and District Leaders” to support the Governor’s re-election. The committee argued that major statewide political decisions require “meaningful collaboration with the party leaders and elected officials who organize, mobilize and deliver Democratic victories,” and said that engagement did not occur before the ticket announcement.

Here’s the Official Statement from the Brooklyn Democratic Party that was posted to X.

The Executive Committee of the Kings County Democratic County Committee today issued a statement rescinding their endorsement of Governor Kathy Hochul following the news of her choosing former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate as Lieutenant Governor.

“The Executive Committee of the Kings County Democratic County Committee is officially withdrawing its endorsement of Kathy Hochul for Governor following the news of her selection of former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate as Lieutenant Governor.

“There is no longer a majority of votes from Brooklyn State Committee Members/District Leaders in the Executive Committee to support the Governor’s re-election. This is a response to the political miscalculation on the part of the Governor’s campaign and their failure to engage or consult Brooklyn Democratic leaders who represent New York’s largest Democratic delegation. Major statewide political decisions require meaningful collaboration with the party leaders and elected officials who organize, mobilize and deliver Democratic victories.

“It is safe to conclude that the Brooklyn delegation on Friday at the State Convention will be prone to voting against or abstaining support for this ticket. We believe Democrats must make strong and strategic political decisions particularly during challenging election cycles.”

Convention Fallout: Delegates Free to Abstain or Oppose

The timing, just days before the New York State Democratic Convention in Syracuse—has immediate implications. By rescinding the endorsement, Brooklyn leaders are effectively freeing their delegates to vote against or abstain from supporting the Hochul–Adams ticket at the convention.

Why Brooklyn’s Move Matters for 2026

Brooklyn’s action introduces new uncertainty into the race and creates an opening for rival campaigns, including the progressive momentum surrounding Mayor Zohran Mamdani. As the largest Democratic delegation in New York State, Brooklyn’s organizing and mobilization strength has long been viewed as central to statewide Democratic success.

While Hochul’s team had positioned Adams as a choice meant to strengthen downstate appeal, the backlash from Brooklyn leadership puts immediate pressure on the ticket heading into the convention—and raises the question of whether the rift can be repaired before the primary.