Rep. Ritchie Torres Unlikely to Run for New York Governor

Rep. Ritchie Torres has announced he is unlikely to run for governor of New York, choosing instead to focus on his congressional re-election and combating the policies of President Donald Trump and Republicans, particularly their budget bill which he claims threatens the social safety net in the Bronx. Torres cited the unprecedented assault on social welfare programs like Medicaid as a key reason for his decision, emphasizing the need to fight what he calls the "catastrophe" of the Trump presidency. His decision follows the Democratic primary win of Zohran Mamdani over Andrew Cuomo and comes amid a three-way Democratic primary challenge to incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul, including from her lieutenant governor Antonio Delgado. Torres also declined to endorse Mamdani for New York City mayor but acknowledged Mamdani's likely victory, highlighting their policy differences yet commitment to a working relationship. The Republican-led Senate reconciliation bill, dubbed the "big, beautiful bill" by Trump, is projected to add $3.3 trillion to the deficit and slash Medicaid by over $1 trillion, a measure Torres strongly opposes due to its impact on marginalized communities relying on public health care. This legislative context reinforces Torres’ focus on national-level advocacy rather than a gubernatorial run, as he views the fight against the legislation as critical for his Bronx constituents and beyond.