Blake Gendebien, the Democratic nominee in the race to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik in New York's 21st Congressional District, has declined to state whether he would support or vote for Gov. Kathy Hochul. Gendebien's public refusal occurred during an appearance on the Utica-area radio program "Talk of the Town" on Oct. 8.
When asked by a host if he supported Hochul or her Republican challenger, Bruce Blakeman, Gendebien responded, "What I support is anyone that will help the North Country be absolutely successful." One of the show's co-hosts noted Gendebien's evasiveness, remarking, "People are saying ‘this guy must be a good dancer because he dances around the questions.'"
The district, which borders Canada, has historically leaned Republican. Gendebien is facing pro-Trump Republican Anthony Constantino, who won the GOP primary. Stefanik is not seeking reelection.
An audio recording from a Sept. 3 "Health Activist Town Hall" captured Gendebien acknowledging Hochul's perceived unpopularity in the district. "She is underwater, she has a negative net-favorability, for whatever reason. I don’t know why that is," Gendebien was heard saying, while also acknowledging that Hochul "has certainly worked hard to provide funding and opportunities for as many communities as she possibly can."
Earlier in the summer, Gendebien removed an advertisement that stated he would oppose Hochul and work with former President Donald Trump. His campaign reportedly took down the ad after Hochul's allies within the Democratic Party threatened to withdraw coordinated support for down-ballot candidates.
A Siena University poll released last week indicated Gendebien leading Constantino 46% to 42% among likely voters, with independent Christopher Schmidt at 5%. The same poll found 60% of voters viewed Hochul unfavorably, compared to 34% favorably. Trump also faced unfavorable views in the district, with 55% disapproving of his job performance and 45% approving.
Constantino's campaign has asserted that Gendebien is beholden to Hochul, citing the state Democratic Party's financial support for his campaign. "Kathy Hochul is Blake Gendebien’s biggest donor and is funding his campaign with hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Alex DeGrasse, senior advisor to Anthony Constantino. "Hochul has so much control over him that when he ran an ad saying he would stand up to her, she demanded he take it down, and he did. Blake Gendebien is Kathy Hochul’s puppet and everyone knows it."
In response, the Gendebien campaign shifted the focus to Constantino's ties to Trump, with campaign manager Michael Waller stating, "Anthony Constantino says only Donald Trump and [longtime Trump adviser] Roger Stone can control him. Reporters looking for someone taking orders from party bosses should start there."
State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs, a Hochul ally, suggested that Gendebien's strategy of not publicly endorsing the governor is intended to appeal to Republican voters. "Blake is focusing on his race and his candidacy. He wants his candidacy to stand on its own," Jacobs said.