De Blasio endorses Hochul for lieutenant governor

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's running mate for lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul, got a boost Wednesday at City Hall from a chorus of New York City liberals.

Calling Hochul an underdog, a progressive and "the right person for the job," Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed her enthusiastically in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

De Blasio cited Hochul's support for abortion rights, same-sex marriage and opposition to repealing the Affordable Care Act. Hochul has said she does not support all aspects of the legislation, saying "I did not support Obamacare 100 percent."

"We don't come here to win elections if the price of winning the election is giving away our values and our souls," de Blasio said.

Hochul, a former congresswoman and county clerk from Buffalo, has been trying to beat back the candidacy of Tim Wu, a law professor who has gained surprising momentum from the political left in the lieutenant governor's race.

Wu and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout have criticized Hochul on issues including gun rights, which she firmly supports.

De Blasio said he doesn't need to agree with a candidate on every issue. He was joined Wednesday by about a dozen City Council members, including City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.