Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport enthusiastically shared his choice for governor after casting his ballot Tuesday in New York City District 12. Rapaport backed Republican Bruce Blakeman over Kathy “Hijab” Hochul.
In a social media post, Rapaport delivered [1] a cutting assessment of Hochul while explaining his rejection of her candidacy. His message to Hochul was blunt: “you stink.”
I VOTED!!! ️ NEW YORK CITY, DISTRICT 12!!!
BRUCE, BRUCE, BRUCE BLAKEMAN for GOVERNOR!!!
CAROLYN SCHINKEL for DISTRICT 12!!!
I don’t think I’ve EVER been this fired up about an election.
Kathy Hijab Hochul, YOU STINK!!!
And Micah Lasher, we deserve WAY BETTER in District 12!!!
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) October 27, 2026 [2]
Rapaport also said he had never been “more excited” for an election. The declaration reflected just how dramatically his public political position has changed since President Donald Trump’s first term.
Rapaport, who is Jewish, was previously known as an outspoken opponent of Republicans generally and Trump particularly. That opposition remained visible before and during Trump’s first term, according to the source.
He later publicly admitted that he had been wrong. The admission became part of a broader political transformation that moved the bombastic actor and podcaster away from the Democratic Party.
That shift followed the horrific violence of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. Rapaport conceded that he had been mistaken about Trump and went on to praise actions taken by Trump’s second administration.
.@MichaelRapaport says he stopped calling Trump “Dick Stain” for the sake of the October 7 hostages:
“The conversations I had with the hostage families, the reality that I saw, it’s worth it for me to not be disrespectful for him because I fought, begged, prayed, pleaded to get the hostages home by any means necessary.”
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 4, 2026 [3]
Now 56, Rapaport is fully supporting Republican efforts. He has also floated the prospect of seeking high office himself rather than limiting his political involvement to public commentary and endorsements.
His political ambitions surfaced again last month when he renewed his demand that socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, be removed from office. Rapaport revealed that he was considering running for mayor to accomplish that objective himself.
During an appearance on Fox News, Rapaport described Mamdani as a disaster for New York City. His criticism of the mayor was delivered with the same combative style that has defined his recent political commentary.
“Zohran the moron is the most divisive mayor in the history of this city by far,” he said. Rapaport then sharpened the attack further, declaring, “He’s a two-bit con man.”
Rapaport also directed accusations involving antisemitism, racism, and homophobia at Mamdani’s wife. Those remarks came as part of his fierce denunciation of the mayor and his administration.
Beyond attacking Mamdani, Rapaport made clear that his talk about entering electoral politics was serious. The actor revealed that he is “absolutely considering running for mayor” and challenging Mamdani in 2029.
Rapaport said he was contemplating the campaign because he cares deeply about New York City. He also expressed disgust with what Mamdani is doing to the Big Apple, framing a potential candidacy as his response to the mayor’s leadership.
The actor emphasized that his possible run was not an act or a joke. “I know you guys think I’m playing,” Rapaport exclaimed. “I’m not playing.”
Rapaport’s Tuesday vote for Blakeman provided another direct expression of his transformed political loyalties. After years of hostility toward Republicans and Trump, he is now openly celebrating a Republican vote while considering whether to place his own name on a future New York City ballot.