Governor Kathy Hochul of New York is grappling with a series of political challenges, the latest being the arrest of her former deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun.
According to Politico, Sun was indicted on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government, adding to Hochul's growing list of political headaches since taking office in 2021.
The indictment alleges that Sun attempted to influence New York state's stance towards China and Taiwan, providing Republicans and potential opponents with fresh ammunition against Hochul. This development has also stirred concerns among Democrats about Hochul's electoral viability, especially given her already low approval ratings and the narrow victory margin in her previous election.
Despite championing popular measures to address crime and the cost of living, Hochul's approval and favorability ratings remain low. Her narrow victory over Republican Lee Zeldin in the previous election has left Democrats worried about potential down-ballot losses in future races.
Some Democratic operatives and committee members have privately discussed the possibility of replacing Hochul at the top of the party's ticket for the 2026 election. However, given the institutional power of a governor, few Democrats are willing to speak openly about a potential primary challenge. John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union International and a critic of Hochul, stated:
There was very real conversation at the DNC about a primary challenge to Hochul to prevent a Republican from taking over New York state government.
In response to these challenges, Hochul has expanded the state Democratic Committee to aid House candidates in swing districts. The success of these efforts could potentially quiet her critics, while failure might further dim her political future.
Hochul's campaign spokesperson, Jen Goodman, emphasized the governor's commitment to delivering for New Yorkers and electing Democrats across the board in 2024. Goodman highlighted Hochul's investments in state party infrastructure to sustain a strong Democratic future in New York.
However, Hochul's approach to addressing inherited issues like the unpopular congestion pricing toll program and the controversial cashless bail law has been criticized as maladroit by some observers.
The indictment against Linda Sun alleges that she attempted to leverage her access to top elected officials to influence New York state government's posture towards China. These efforts reportedly included blocking Taiwanese representatives from meeting with the governor's office and providing unauthorized official proclamations of support.
Hochul expressed shock at the indictment and described Sun's alleged actions as a betrayal of two administrations in state government. She stated:
The indictment lays out very clearly that these actions taken by Linda Sun were an absolute betrayal of two administrations in state government. More importantly than that, this is a betrayal of New Yorkers and the American people.
Despite these challenges, Hochul remains a formidable political figure with a substantial war chest of $13.5 million in cash on hand. She has also become a prominent surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign and maintains a strong presence in national media.
Some Democratic operatives believe Hochul has grown into her role, with her campaign efforts for down-ballot candidates being seen as a key strength. However, Republicans who are considering challenging Hochul in the future are closely monitoring her declining favorability numbers.
The indictment of Linda Sun and its political fallout present yet another hurdle for Governor Hochul as she navigates a complex political landscape. Her ability to address these challenges, improve her approval ratings, and successfully support down-ballot candidates may prove crucial in determining her political future and the broader prospects of the Democratic Party in New York. As the 2026 election approaches, both allies and critics will be closely watching Hochul's performance and its impact on the state's political dynamics.
