Where could the Governor Hochul be among friends? At the Buffalo Bills bar.

On Sunday down downhill from State Capitol you would never know that Governor Kathy Hochul from New York fought in the elections or faced the re -election struggle next year.

When she screamed with joy after seeing her beloved Buffalo Bills healed outstretched, it was clear that Mrs. Hochul was among friends in McGeary’s Irish Pub, a faithful putyce in the center of Albany, which has long been a safe place for Bills fans.

She turned and saw a man who was decorated in Bill’s colors and wore a jersey under the blue jacket and was on his head with a foam chicken wing. Governor with her own caps and shoes with the team logo did what every self -essential fan of Bill would do.

She slapped the fan on the chicken wing – a celebration that was a bit premature. The game was annulled by penalty.

“This is an emotional roller coaster,” she told anyone to anyone.

The game would be a harbinger of later disappointment, which Bills fans got used to. Since the last time they fought their way to Super Bowl, more than three decades have passed and their last four performances have ended badly.

What could be more surprising for voters who do not come from Western New York is the unquestionable loyalty Mrs. Hochul, a native of Buffalo, who is probably the first Governor of New York, who is a furious Bills fan. (Mrs. Hochul is not the first governor of Western New York, but those who preceded her have also overtaken the existence of Bill for decades.

Her team devotion is no secret. In fact, it appears on most print briefs and in one component interaction after another. Its source on social networks is full of photos with Bills and Bills. Last year at the official event of the future of the state energy sectorAlthough, she dampened the link to the team as she referred to Quarterback Bills as Marv Levy. (Mr. Levy is a former head coach Bills; Quarterback is Josh Allen.)

Yet her work knowledge of the team and its history is impressive. She said she was excited when Buffalo named Street in honor of Mr. Allenwhich was the central point of the revitalization of the team and can win the prize for the most useful player this season.

This level of politicians’ fan is not new, but the state has not had a elected official who is so obsessed with the only team since former mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani was sitting behind the home relay at the Yankes games during the long period of dominance of the team at the end of the 90’s. .

Her devotion even led to a certain political strike. Mrs. Hochul continues to tear the widely criticized agreement of 2022, which brought $ 850 million from public funds, including $ 600 million in state dollars, Help the team to build a stadium for $ 1.4 billion. At that time, it was still the largest contribution of taxpayers for home professional football franchise.

The team of her childhood – the team that her brothers cheered and her family was obsessed – threatened to leave the state without agreement, and that simply was out of the question, she said on Sunday.

When a child was growing up in a large Irish Catholic family, she said that he didn’t know the team meant that you weren’t in contact. ”I gave them a home, ”she said when her husband Bill stood behind her and watched nervously. Previously worked as Director of Delaware NorthThe conglomerate who once had a long -term business relationship with the team.

“I gave them rent for 30 years,” she said. “I committed to the community that they were not going anywhere. That’s a big problem. I think I did what I needed for Bills. “

At McGeary, her accounts were unquestionable in good faith. Patrons embraced and hugged Mrs. Hochulová and insisted to drink beer, encourage them and bought a selfie during the game.

The governor often binded. She knelt beside one fan, Carrie Mallison, while the two clinked with glasses and drank their drinks. When the owner of Bar Tess Collins asked if the governor wanted another round, Mrs. Hochul said she was enough. Journalists lurked. The wings plate would be enough.

“Bills fans will not trust you if you’re not drunk,” Mrs. Collins replied with a laugh.

On the first holding of the ball in the second quarter, Bills scored and the rod exploded. Mrs Mallison found Mrs. Hochul and started making a modified version of the dance associated with “Shout” from Isley Brothers.

”Bills force me to scream! “The fans sang.

While Democrat Mrs. Hochul is preparing for re -election in 2026, she emphasized her suburban roots in a state where political power and her personalities normally come from New York and Long Island.

“It is great that the governor is from our city,” said Samantha Burgio, a native of Buffalo, who works as a school advisor in Albany. “I still tell people, ‘Governor is from Buffalo!”

Mrs. Hochul intended to leave McGeary’s while the game was still ongoing, and this plan was held. After Bills recorded landing in the second quarter, the governor headed to the east. It was just too nervous, she said. She needed to return to the executive mansion and concentrate.

The team made some mistakes and she said they were nervous. She was too.

She grabbed her Bills Letterman jacket, posed on another selfie, kissed several other fans and left. The mood of the bar remained mostly festive.

Of course, this would have changed to the end of the game: The Bills lost 32:29 in the nail battle, and Kansas City Chiefs advanced to Super Bowl, where they met Philadelphia Eagles. Some wiped tears when Chiefs celebrated on the playground in Kansas City. Others hugged companions who had sucked next to each other for the whole season.

It was a season we can be proud of. But Monday will be difficult.

“I’m just burning my head in my palms for eight hours at a time,” one of the fans said.

Mrs. Hochulová did not let this moment go without a stunning scream. “Thank you Buffalo Bills for a hellish ride,” she said on the X. “Proud of this team and the biggest fans in America.”