Hochul's bombshell Zohran Mamdani endorsement was 'calculated political risk' to stave off lefty challenge in Democratic primary, sources say: 'She held her nose'

No freebies for Kathy.

Gov. Kathy Hochul seemingly got little-to-nothing in exchange for her bombshell endorsement Sunday of socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani — except to appease the far-left in a desperate attempt to stave off a real primary challenge next year, insiders said.

Hochul likely will have Mamdani’s endorsement in the Democratic primary, where she faces a challenge from her estranged Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado , sources said.

One Democratic operative called Hochul’s endorsement — which failed to sway some prominent Dem holdouts and took some business leaders by surprise — “inevitable” given the political calculus.

“It’s a calculated political risk,” the operative said. 4

“Delgado is gaining ground on her and they want to neutralize him. There’s concern of him r