Hochul Signals Openness to 2028 Vice Presidential Bid After Winning Re-Election

New York Governor Kathy Hochul indicated she would seriously consider a vice presidential role in the 2028 presidential election. She made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times, days after securing her re-election as governor.

When asked how she would react if a Democratic presidential candidate approached her, Hochul said, "I will say this. I didn't get to where I am by slamming doors." Her comments suggest a willingness to join a national ticket, though she emphasized that her current priority is governing the state.

Hochul stated that New York voters know she is fighting for them for the next four years. "So, as someone who has the support of the people of my state, and they know I'm fighting for them for the next four years, I'm going to keep doing that," she told The Times. She pointed to her state's universal child care initiatives as a potential driver for a larger national profile, noting that the policy has broad appeal and that she wants to become a national voice on the issue.

The party is already sorting through potential contenders for the 2028 nomination. Names circulating in Democratic discussions include former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Hochul is not yet part of the central discourse among these nationally prominent figures, according to strategist Isaac Goldberg. He told The Times that while she has not been in the conversation with other top Democrats, he would not take that lack of visibility as a disadvantage.

Hochul won Tuesday's gubernatorial race against Republican Bruce Blakeman. Associated Press estimates show she captured 59.7% of the vote, while Blakeman received 40.1%. In a post on X on Wednesday, Hochul wrote that she will always believe in New York because its best days are ahead. Her office did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The governor has previously praised the depth of talent among her fellow state leaders. Speaking at Politico's New York Agenda: Albany Summit in March, she described a deep bench of highly qualified governors positioned for potential 2028 runs. "We are so damn lucky," she said at the time. "We have the deepest bench I've seen in years of highly qualified individuals that have been battle tested. Maybe I have a bias toward governors but they're all my friends."

Hochul has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump during his second term. In September, she accused the Department of Homeland Security of withholding millions of dollars in counterterrorism funding from New York State. In an October interview with Politico, she said she felt excited at the prospect of a Democrat-led Congress working to slow the president's agenda through investigations and hearings.