Former Democrat Backs Republican Blakeman Over Hochul, Citing 'Mayhem'

A former Democratic City Council member has endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman for governor, citing concerns over public safety and criticizing incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Bob Holden, who represented Middle Village and Maspeth in the City Council, announced his support for Blakeman on Wednesday at a press conference where he described the current state of the streets as "mayhem." Holden, a registered Democrat who has recently caucused with Republican members of the council's Common Sense Caucus, stated that he no longer identifies with the Democratic Party's policies. This marks the second consecutive gubernatorial election where Holden has backed a Republican candidate, having previously endorsed Lee Zeldin in 2020. He also supported Curtis Sliwa for mayor last year.

"Does anybody think we are safer now? Look at the streets. I was in Manhattan yesterday. It’s mayhem," Holden said at the news conference, recounting an incident where he was clipped by an e-bike riding in the wrong direction. He added that the decision to back Blakeman was not difficult due to his divergence from the party's platform.

"We need to do something in New York State and Kathy Hochul has to be out of office come January the 1st," Holden stated.

A Sienna poll released recently indicates that Blakeman is within single digits of Hochul with six weeks remaining until the November election.

The Hochul campaign responded to the endorsement, with campaign representative Ryan Radulovacki dismissing it in a statement. "‘Dems for Blakeman,’ led by a guy who ran for office as a Republican and 4 years ago endorsed the Republican for governor, is about as real as Bruce Fakeman’s AI slop TV ads,".