Shock, shock.
Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres confirmed he’s contemplating a run for New York governor Monday — whereas persevering with an onslaught of assaults in opposition to fellow Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Torres stated in a spate of appearances that he’s launching a “listening tour” throughout the Empire State forward of constructing a choice in mid-2025 on a possible gubernatorial run and Democratic main in opposition to Hochul.
However the Bronx congressman — who has additionally blasted Eric Adams as “complicit” within the murders of three harmless individuals by alleged serial stabber Ramon Rivera final week — advised The Publish he’s additionally not ruling out a run for New York Metropolis mayor.
“I thought I would run for governor (rather) than mayor, but nothing is off the table,” he stated at a rally opposing Hochul’s deliberate enlargement of the Cross Bronx Expressway.
“Failed governance” in each the town and the state — which Torres argued led to President-elect Donald Trump’s surprising features through the 2024 election in deep-blue New York — confirmed the necessity for brand new management, he stated.
Torres, nevertheless, largely centered on attacking Hochul, whom he repeatedly denigrated because the “new Joe Biden” — an unpopular chief main New Yorkers and Democrats into destroy.
Throughout the Bronx rally and a NY1 interview, he launched right into a searing critique of Hochul’s management. He stated New Yorkers really feel the governor has failed them as they watch their high quality of life, security and affordability decline.
“We have a leadership crisis in America, and nowhere is a leadership crisis more profound than in New York City and in New York State under the failed governance of Kathy Hochul,” he advised NY1.
“She’s well-intentioned but ineffective,” he stated within the Bronx. “She’s been ineffective in her dealing with of congestion pricing, managing to outrage each supporters and opponents of congestion pricing. I’ve misplaced confidence and I blame the failed governance of New York State and New York Metropolis for Donald Trump’s progress in New York.
“There was no state that saw a greater swing to Donald Trump than New York.”
The prospect of Torres mounting a bid for governor has prompted panic amongst Hochul’s group, who sources have stated worry the congressman might win over her base of reasonable Democrats.
Torres has rankled many progressive Dems together with his positions on public questions of safety and unapologetically pro-Israel stance after the Oct. 7 Hamas assaults, whilst different lefties harshly criticize the conflict’s toll on civilians killed in Gaza.
Democratic advisor Neal Kwatra stated Torres shall be a “formidable” candidate for any workplace.
“He is one of the smartest, most strategic and thoughtful members of the Democratic Party of his generation,” Kwatra advised The Publish Monday. “He does the work, he builds relationships. He has clarity of what government should be doing. He’s a workhorse, not a show horse. We need work horses, not show horses.”
Torres additionally reiterated his competition that each Adams’ and Hochul’ administration bore accountability for “layers and layers of failure” resulting in the early launch of Rivera, regardless of his assault of a correction officer throughout his final jail stint.
“Not only did the state and the city fail to punish him for assaulting a corrections officer, but the city released him early for good behavior,” he stated. “And the end result was three New Yorkers stabbed to death. So, if he had never been released early and had completed his full sentence those three New Yorkers who were murdered would be alive today. That’s the price New Yorkers pay when government fails.”
Adams’ and Hochul’s camps didn’t instantly return requests for remark.
Further reporting by Craig McCarthy
