New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman accused incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday of refusing to participate in debates for the upcoming election. Blakeman, who is the Nassau County executive, stated that he had received debate invitations from PIX11 and CBS, but that Hochul had repeatedly declined.
“Kathy Hochul seems to believe that if she avoids enough debates, New Yorkers will forget she’s the worst governor in America,” Blakeman said in a statement. He added that New Yorkers have long memories regarding high taxes and rising living costs, and that his own record of preventing a $150 million tax hike and making Nassau County the safest in America should be presented against hers.
However, the Hochul campaign asserted that the governor will participate in at least one debate. "As the campaign confirmed back in February, the governor is going to debate and looks forward holding Bruce Blakeman accountable for raising costs, undermining safety, and enabling Donald Trump,” said Hochul campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika.
Hochul, who is seeking a second four-year term, is not obligated to participate in any debates. Candidates who opt into New York’s public campaign finance program are required to participate in one debate. Blakeman has enrolled in this program and is receiving public matching funds, while Hochul, with a campaign fund of $21 million, has not.
According to the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board, a sponsored debate will be canceled if only one candidate agrees to participate. In the 2022 gubernatorial race, Hochul engaged in a single debate against Republican challenger Lee Zeldin, whom she ultimately defeated by a 6% margin. That debate took place shortly before early voting commenced.
Current polls indicate Hochul holds a lead over Blakeman in the race, which concludes with the election on November 3.