Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday directly refuted accusations from her Republican gubernatorial rival, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, that her administration is responsible for rising costs in New York. Hochul, speaking on her challenger’s Long Island turf, dismissed a campaign mailer from Blakeman that blamed her and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for “sky high taxes, rising utility bills and out of control crime” as factually inaccurate.
During appearances in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Hochul announced a $100 million grant for law enforcement technology in Freeport. She attributed increased costs to federal policies, specifically mentioning Republican support for former President Trump's actions in Iran and tariffs. Hochul also characterized the Trump administration's decision to block federal disaster funds for New York's response to February blizzards as a political move.
"They think it’s hurting me, but it’s backfiring," Hochul stated.
Tightening Race Indicated by New Poll
Despite Hochul's assertions, a new poll conducted by the firm co/efficient for the Coalition to Protect Nassau Taxpayers indicates a narrowing gap in the gubernatorial race. The survey shows Blakeman trailing Hochul by 6 percentage points, with the governor leading 47% to 41% among likely voters and 12% undecided. This poll contrasts with other public surveys that have shown Hochul with a more significant double-digit lead.
The co/efficient poll accurately predicted the closeness of the 2022 Hochul-Zeldin race, which the governor won by 6 points, mirroring the firm’s earlier polling for that contest. The new survey also suggests that concerns about socialism may resonate with voters, with 55% expressing significant concern.
Hochul, however, positioned herself as a pragmatist seeking to work across the political spectrum. She addressed concerns about socialism directly, stating, "We are not becoming a socialist state because of an election of a number of individuals in New York City." She emphasized her commitment to working with any elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation.
Blakeman's campaign responded sharply, with spokesperson Madison Spanodemos stating, "Every New Yorker needs to know that the Hochul-Mamdani team is the reason their taxes and utility bills are soaring, while Bruce Blakeman has the plan to slash income taxes and cut utility bills in half." Blakeman himself commented, "You can stage all the photo ops you want, Kathy. New Yorkers know you created this mess – and I actually made our neighborhoods safer."
The poll also revealed that Hochul’s personal favorability rating stands at 32% among likely voters, with co/efficient pollster Ryan Munce noting that "Hochul is deeply disliked across the state."
In Suffolk County, Hochul signed legislation enabling the MTA to acquire the former Lawrence Aviation site, a move intended to protect the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail.