NY Dem Rep. Ritchie Torres dubs Gov. Kathy Hochul ‘the new Joe Biden,’ warns of potential 2026 election loss
Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democratic representative from New York, recently made headlines by referring to Governor Kathy Hochul as “the new Joe Biden.” In a warning to his fellow Democrats, Torres expressed concerns that they could lose the 2026 gubernatorial election in a similar fashion to how they lost the 2024 presidential contest.
In a post on social media platform X, Torres stated, “Kathy Hochul is the new Joe Biden. She may be in denial about the depth of her vulnerabilities as a Democratic nominee. A Democratic incumbent who is less popular in New York than Donald Trump is in grave danger of losing to a Republican in 2026 – an outcome not seen in 30 years.”
The congressman urged his party to take action before it’s too late, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a repeat of history. He emphasized, “Waiting until it’s too late gave us a Republican President in 2024 and could give us a Republican Governor in 2026. Let’s avoid repeating history and avoid sleepwalking toward impending disaster and defeat.”
When reached for comment, neither Governor Hochul nor Rep. Torres immediately responded to requests from Fox News Digital.
Torres revealed to Spectrum News NY 1 that he is considering a gubernatorial bid, planning to embark on a “listening tour” starting in December and January. He shared that his final decision on the matter will come in “mid-2025.”
In addition to his concerns about the upcoming election, Torres has been vocal about his criticisms of the “far left,” accusing them of driving voters away from the Democratic Party. He believes that divisive issues such as “Defund the Police” and controversial rhetoric have alienated significant portions of the electorate.
In a separate post on X, Torres expressed, “Donald Trump has no greater friend than the far left, which has managed to alienate historic numbers of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, and Jews from the Democratic Party with absurdities like ‘Defund the Police’ or ‘From the River to the Sea’ or ‘Latinx.'”
He stressed the need for Democrats to appeal to a broader base and avoid pandering to extreme ideologies that do not resonate with working-class Americans. Torres emphasized that the party should focus on policies and messaging that reflect the realities of everyday life, rather than catering to niche online communities.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Torres’ warnings and calls for reflection will impact the Democratic Party’s strategy moving forward. With the 2026 gubernatorial election on the horizon, the party faces a critical juncture in determining its path to electoral success.
(Author: Alex Nitzberg)
