Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has joined a Queens Democrat in criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul's ban on gas stoves in new buildings, with both arguing the policy could negatively impact Asian culture and cooking practices.
City Councilman Phil Wong (D-Queens), who was born in Hong Kong, stated at a recent event that he would support a candidate who would "let me keep my wok." He expressed concern that the ban, which prohibits gas stoves in new residential buildings up to seven stories tall starting this year and taller buildings by 2029, would prevent families from cooking traditional dishes like stir-fry.
"There’s not a single Asian family who said they can cook [stir-fry in a wok] with an electric stove top," Wong said, according to the New York Post. The ban does exempt restaurants, meaning Chinese eateries can continue using gas stoves.
Blakeman, a Republican candidate for governor, amplified these concerns, posting a video on Instagram from a Queens Chinese restaurant kitchen. In the video, he questioned whether Hochul's policy was intended to harm Chinese restaurants. "Is Kathy Hochul trying to put Chinese restaurants out of business?" the post read.
Blakeman has been a vocal critic of the gas ban, labeling it part of a "green energy scam" by Hochul and state Democrats. The ban has faced significant opposition, including lawsuits and implementation delays.
Critics have also pointed out that Hochul herself has gas stoves in her residences, including her home in Buffalo and the executive mansion in Albany. Earlier this year, Hochul successfully advocated for delays on some green mandates, citing potential high costs for residents.