New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is open to being considered as a running mate in the 2028 Democratic presidential election, but emphasized that her immediate focus remains her work as governor.
In an interview with The New York Times, Hochul was asked how she would respond if a Democratic presidential candidate sought her as a vice presidential pick. She replied that she does not close off opportunities. She did not announce a presidential or vice presidential campaign.
Hochul said her priority was continuing to represent New Yorkers during the coming four years. She also pointed to universal childcare as an initiative she wants to promote nationally, saying she hopes to discuss how other states might adopt similar efforts.
Her comments come after she defeated Republican Bruce Blakeman in New York’s gubernatorial race. Associated Press estimates cited in the source put Hochul at 59.7% of the vote and Blakeman at 40.1%. In a post on X the Wednesday after the election, Hochul said she continued to believe in New York and that the state’s best days were ahead.
The 2028 Democratic field remains unsettled. The source identifies former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as prominent figures being discussed as potential contenders. Hochul previously described the party’s governors as a deep bench of qualified, tested leaders at a March Politico event in Albany. She said then that she might be biased toward governors because they were her friends.
New York-based Democratic strategist Isaac Goldberg told The New York Times that Hochul had not been part of the conversation among Democrats with greater national prominence. He added that he did not consider that a disadvantage.
Hochul has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. In September, she accused the Department of Homeland Security of withholding millions of dollars in counterterrorism funding for New York. In an October interview with Politico, she also said she was excited by the prospect of a Democratic-led Congress using investigations and hearings to impede Trump’s agenda.
Hochul’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, according to the source. Her remarks leave open the possibility of a future role on a national ticket, while offering no indication that she has made a decision to seek one.
