Yikes! Pelosi has turned the tables on her own party.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi recently took aim at New York Governor Kathy Hochul, suggesting that her performance during the 2022 midterms contributed to the Democrats’ loss of their House majority. During an interview at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Pelosi pointed to Hochul’s narrow victory over former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin as a factor that weakened Democratic chances in several crucial New York congressional races.
Pelosi, speaking at a POLITICO forum, directly linked Hochul’s gubernatorial race to the broader Democratic setbacks. She remarked, “I think it related to the gubernatorial race,” when addressing what led to the party’s difficulties that year.
In response, Governor Hochul expressed disagreement with Pelosi’s assessment during an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Hochul stated, “I just don’t agree with that. That’s fine.” She remained optimistic about future Democratic prospects, asserting, “We are going to win this on the ground because I know how to do this.” Hochul emphasized her commitment to focusing on key races across New York, including areas like the Hudson Valley and Central New York, now that she is not a candidate herself.
This exchange comes as Hochul appears to be working to improve her political standing following the 2022 elections. Despite the national GOP not achieving the anticipated “Red Wave,” Republicans succeeded in winning all five competitive races rated as toss-ups by the Cook Political Report. Notably, Zeldin’s performance marked the strongest showing by a Republican gubernatorial candidate in New York since 2002.
Pelosi’s critique of Hochul is not a new development. Earlier this year, Pelosi was recorded telling Rep. Mike Lawler, who won in the Hudson Valley, that Hochul’s candidacy had played a role in his upset victory against former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. Hochul, who initially entered the House through a special election in 2011, has often positioned herself as a moderate, occasionally diverging from the broader Democratic platform.
