Conley Campaigns With Hochul After Viral Video Suggesting Governor 'Has Got to Go'

Democratic congressional hopeful Cait Conley campaigned with Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, just days after a video surfaced showing Conley appearing to agree with her Republican opponent that the governor "has got to go."

Conley, a candidate for New York's 17th District, dismissed the earlier video as a misrepresentation by her opponent, Rep. Mike Lawler. "Let's be clear, Mike Lawler does what he always does, and that is to spin things," Conley told The Post. "The governor and I are out here today making our case to voters."

The two Democrats spent the afternoon making calls to voters at the New York Democratic Party’s Coordinated Office in Peekskill, New York.

In a viral video from an Oct. 13 forum, Conley was heard stating, "I’m in absolute agreement with my opponent" after Lawler said, "we need a new governor. Kathy Hochul has to go." Conley further added, "Absolute agreement," as the crowd reacted.

Following the forum, Conley reportedly called Hochul to apologize. According to Politico, the governor accepted the exchange as a mistake made in a "pressure cooker" debate environment.

When questioned by reporters on Thursday about her stance on the governor, Conley appeared evasive. "She doesn’t have to go? You support her?" a reporter asked. Conley responded, "I’m standing here outside of our joint office. Yes. What are you?" before walking away.

Inside the phone bank, Conley praised Hochul, stating, "The governor is holding the line, fighting back against the terrible policies of the Trump administration and they this congress is forcing down the throats of Americans." She introduced Hochul as "the leader leading the charge in New York, who has brought us together, who has helped us up and down the line, fights and wins."

Hochul, in turn, lauded Conley as "imperative to the future of America," a "patriotic spirit," and "the badass we need." She also reiterated her criticism of former President Trump and Lawler.

Conley's campaign had previously stated that her remarks were taken out of context and that she was agreeing that small business owners needed more support, not that the governor needed to be removed. "As the full recording makes clear, Cait Conley was agreeing that New York’s small business owners need more support," a spokesperson said. "That shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but a party-first politician like Mike Lawler could never comprehend that."

The race for New York's 17th Congressional District is a close contest, with a recent Emerson College poll showing Conley leading Lawler 48% to 46%. This district is considered a key battleground that could influence party control of Congress in 2027. Election Day is November 3, with early voting already underway.