Three of New York's major entertainment unions — Actors' Equity Association, IATSE (District 10) and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 — have endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul for re-election. The backing matters because it consolidates support from the performers, craftspeople and musicians who underpin the state's Broadway, film and television sectors ahead of November's general election, in which the Democratic incumbent will face Republican Bruce Blakeman and Working Families Party candidate Amy Taylor.

The unions cited Hochul's record on the creative economy as their reason, notably her continuation of the Broadway (New York City Musical and Theatrical Production) tax credit and her expansion of film and television incentives, including raising the cap on state subsidies to $800 million. IATSE also praised her increase in COBRA health-insurance premium assistance for entertainment workers. Hochul, who took office in August 2021 after Andrew Cuomo's resignation and won a full term in 2022, is seeking a second full term after running unopposed in the Democratic primary.