Hochul's Alliance with Mamdani Criticized as Detrimental to New York

New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has sharply criticized Governor Kathy Hochul, accusing her of forming a detrimental alliance with Mayor Eric Adams that allegedly uses state funds to secure votes and promotes a shared anti-Israel agenda. Blakeman contends that Hochul's alignment with Adams, whom he describes as a "socialist anti-semite," is evident in her administration's allocation of billions in state tax dollars to address New York City's budget deficit and fund the mayor's initiatives.

According to Michael Goodwin in the New York Post, Hochul admitted in an interview with Politico that she and Adams are "aligned on so many issues" and that she "need[s] the mayor to be successful." Goodwin interprets this "very positive relationship" as a quid pro quo, where Hochul's financial support for the city is repaid by Adams's public endorsements and campaigning for her re-election. This alleged pay-to-play arrangement, Goodwin argues, implicitly signals Hochul's support for Adams's "continuing anti-capitalist, anti-Israel agenda."

Blakeman's campaign positions this alleged pact as a reason for voters to support him, framing a vote for Blakeman as a vote against both Hochul and Adams. He claims that a Blakeman victory would lead to significant changes, including tightening New York's criminal justice policies and reversing what he calls the state's "most punishing tax-and-spending regime," which he asserts is causing an outflow of residents.

Beyond fiscal policy, the criticism extends to foreign policy, specifically concerning Israel. Goodwin highlights Adams's past criticisms of Israel, including skipping the annual Salute to Israel Day parade and accusing the nation of genocide. While Hochul reportedly distances herself from these extremes, Goodwin asserts she refrains from criticizing Adams directly. Hochul's own comments to Politico regarding her visit to Israel after the October 7th attacks are also scrutinized. She is quoted as having "cautioned the government there, in private conversations, not to overreach," warning that an "overreach could change that dynamic." Goodwin interprets this as suggesting Israel should have responded with less force, likening it to a demand for a "pin-prick response."

Furthermore, Hochul's expressed belief in the necessity of a "safe Palestinian state" and her comments suggesting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an obstacle to this goal are presented as echoing the views of "Israel haters everywhere." Goodwin questions Hochul's approach, asking who would guarantee Israel's security and suggesting that her focus on a Palestinian state implies Israel must "bear the burden and reward Hamas by helping to create a Palestinian state."

Blakeman's campaign has also focused on utility costs, with the candidate pledging to cut them in half. Goodwin notes that Hochul's environmental policies, such as bans on new natural gas production, have allegedly driven up New York's utility costs significantly above the national average. He characterizes energy rebates offered by Hochul as merely a "partial refund of the piggy-piggy taxes the state grabbed."