Blakeman Criticizes Hochul's Past Remarks on Bronx Children and Computers

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul during a recent debate, referencing her past remarks that Black children in the Bronx do not know what a computer is. Blakeman's comments came in response to Hochul's accusation that he associated with white supremacists.

"I never went around with white supremacists; I’m offended by that. Let’s talk about your record," Blakeman stated during the debate. He then directly addressed Hochul's earlier remarks: "What did you see about black kids in the Bronx? You know what? That was reprehensible."

Hochul made the controversial statements in 2024, reportedly at a conference. "Right now we have you know young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word computer is, they they don’t know, they don’t know these things,” she said at the time. She later walked back the comment, stating that she had “misspoke.”

Following Hochul's initial remarks, Blakeman launched a digital advertisement targeting the comments after opening a campaign office in the Bronx.