Blakeman Welcomes Hochul-Mamdani Alliance, Claims it Will Boost His Campaign
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman says the joint campaigning of Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani will lead to an "astounding victory" for him.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman expressed enthusiasm on Thursday regarding New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's planned joint campaign appearances with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, asserting that their collaboration would significantly benefit his own gubernatorial bid.
"I think that the more Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani campaign together the more likely it is that I will have not only a victory but a very very astounding victory," Blakeman stated during a campaign stop in the Bronx. He received the endorsement of former Bronx Democratic Councilman/Assemblyman Steve Kaufman outside the Crosstown Diner.
Hochul, who is seeking re-election, is expected to campaign with Mamdani, a democratic socialist, shortly before early voting begins for the November election. Blakeman suggested that Mamdani's attacks on him could inadvertently draw more Democratic and independent voters to his side.
"The more he attacks me, the more Democrats who come over to support me. The more independent voters who come over to support me," Blakeman said. "So I just hope Zohran Mamdani is real active for the next 11 days with Kathy Hochul campaigning together all around the state. I think it’s a big boost to my campaign."
Political strategists note that Mamdani's popularity in New York City could help mobilize voters for Hochul, a crucial element for her re-election prospects. However, the Hochul campaign responded by referencing comments from a Republican strategist, Chapin Fay of the Strong and Safe New York Super PAC, who described Mamdani as "one of the most popular politicians on planet earth right now."
This sentiment complicates Republican efforts to portray Mamdani negatively, especially given his previous meeting with President Trump.
Mamdani's team, meanwhile, pointed to a Quinnipiac University poll indicating Hochul leading Blakeman by 14 points. Blakeman dismissed the poll as inaccurate, citing Republican internal polling that suggests a narrower 4-point lead for Hochul.
Kaufman, endorsing Blakeman, criticized the current direction of the Democratic Party, calling it a "house of horrors" and accusing it of becoming a "Socialist Communist Party of America." He also criticized Hochul's energy policies, particularly her opposition to natural gas drilling amid rising utility costs, and referenced a past remark she made about children in the Bronx not knowing what computers are.
Billy Tsibidis, owner of the Crosstown Diner, corroborated concerns about high energy costs, stating his electric bill has reached $15,000 per month, requiring substantial revenue from burger sales to cover. He echoed sentiments that the state's policies are detrimental to businesses.
