Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York on Wednesday called Gov. Kathy Hochul a leading hypocrite in the Empire State, ratcheting up his attacks on the fellow Democrat ahead of a likely primary fight in 2026.
Mr. Torres, who just won a third House term, has called Ms. Hochul the “new Joe Biden” as he considers a gubernatorial bid.
“New York politics has no greater hypocrite than Kathy Hochul, who was for congestion pricing before she was against it before she was for it,” Mr. Torres posted Wednesday on X.
Mr. Torres is referring to a controversial plan that requires motorists to pay a toll to enter congested parts of Manhattan south of 60th Street. The idea is to raise funds for public transportation, though critics say the tolls will hurt commuters who cannot rely on public transit in its current state.
Ms. Hochul abruptly canceled the program in midsummer before deciding this month to relaunch it, though at a lower toll of $9 instead of $15. The program is set to begin in January, but President-elect Donald Trump, the state of New Jersey and others may work to stop it.
Mr. Torres also attacked the governor’s gun record and relationship with the National Rifle Association.
“Hochul was for the NRA before she was against it,” he posted. “Even though New Yorkers give Hochul a failing grade, the NRA gave her an ’A.’”
Mr. Torres, who is 36 and openly gay, represents a district in the South Bronx. He is on a listening tour to consider a primary run against Ms. Hochul.
In comparing her to Mr. Biden, Mr. Torres has said the governor “may be in denial about the depth of her vulnerabilities as a Democratic nominee.”
Ms. Hochul took the governor’s seat after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations. She won a full term in 2022 and plans to run for reelection in 2026.
Earlier this week, she brushed off Mr. Torres’ criticism.
“I actually don’t care what he’s doing,” she told reporters.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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