Hochul, Blakeman Trade Accusations in New York Gubernatorial Debate

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman clashed over a range of issues during their only scheduled debate, with both candidates making claims that have been scrutinized for accuracy.

The debate, hosted by Spectrum News NY1, covered topics including immigration, crime, taxes, and the state's business climate. Fact-checking revealed nuances and inaccuracies in some of the candidates' assertions.

Immigration and ICE Agreements

Hochul accused Blakeman of enabling "rogue agents roaming the streets" through agreements between municipalities and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Blakeman's campaign has criticized Hochul's "sanctuary" policies. Hochul's claim was rated mostly false. Nassau County's agreement with ICE, a 287(g) program, allowed county police to act as deputized federal agents to enforce immigration law before Hochul enacted sanctuary legislation. While nearly a dozen other localities have similar relationships with ICE, their activities are typically limited to allowing correctional facilities to screen detainee names through a federal database.

Fired Corrections Officers

Responding to a question about staffing in the state prison system, Hochul stated that the 2,000 corrections officers she fired during a strike last year were engaged in an illegal work stoppage. She asserted, "You violated the law. Shame on you." The claim was rated half-true. While public sector unions in New York are prohibited from striking under the Taylor Law while under contract, many of the fired officers were later rehired. As of November 2025, 848 of the 2,000 guards had been reinstated. Some claimed they were on pre-approved medical leave and were dismissed in error.

Energy Policy and Fracking

Blakeman vowed to cut utility bills in half, partly by permitting fracking in New York. He proposed extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale to lower energy prices. This claim was rated highly unlikely. Fracking has been banned in New York since an executive order by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2014, codified by the legislature in 2021. Overcoming legislative opposition to implement such a policy would be a significant challenge.

Past Stances on Gun Control and Licenses

Blakeman also accused Hochul of shifting her positions, asserting that she was previously endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and opposed driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. He contrasted her past stances with her current policies. This claim was rated true. Hochul received an "A" rating from the NRA during her 2012 congressional campaign and publicly opposed providing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. She had previously stated in a 2011 campaign ad, "I led the fight against giving illegal immigrants drivers licenses."