NY Governor Debate: Hochul, Blakeman Clash Over Immigration, Economy
The New York gubernatorial candidates traded sharp barbs on sanctuary policies, an ICE shooting, and inflation during their only scheduled debate.
The race for New York governor intensified Tuesday as incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman engaged in a heated debate, focusing on immigration policies, an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the state of the economy.
Immigration and ICE Incident
The debate opened with a contentious exchange over an ICE operation in New York City that resulted in the shooting of a 28-year-old Dominican national. Blakeman criticized Hochul, stating that New York's "sanctuary state" status, enacted under her administration, had drawn individuals with criminal records to the state and hindered cooperation with federal law enforcement.
"This guy came into the country illegally. He's been convicted of a crime. He's got pending charges for dealing drugs, poison to our children. And he's a gangbanger. This is who Kathy Hochul is defending?" Blakeman questioned. He asserted that his own county had successfully removed over 2,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal records by cooperating with ICE, a practice he claims Hochul has prevented.
Hochul, in turn, accused Blakeman of refusing to condemn ICE's actions and suggested his stance indicated acceptance of law enforcement firing into vehicles without knowing who is inside. "I oversee over 500 policing agencies in the state of New York, over half a million arrests every year. That's not how you conduct yourself. ICE is out of control. It's out of control in Nassau County," she stated.
Blakeman countered that the incident would not have occurred under his watch due to his county's cooperative agreement with ICE. Hochul firmly rejected the characterization of New York as a sanctuary for criminals, stating, "I have said, from the president on down, I said, New York is not a sanctuary for criminals, not a sanctuary for criminals. Full stop."
Economic Disagreements and Trump
The candidates also clashed over economic issues and former President Donald Trump. Hochul blamed Trump's policies for rising inflation, affecting energy and grocery costs. She criticized Blakeman's admiration for Trump, suggesting his support for the former president was excessive.
Blakeman retorted that Hochul's record was one of "misery and failure," citing high taxes and utility rates. He defended his relationship with Trump, who has endorsed him, but also pointed to support from other figures, including liberal Democrats, who he said trust him to improve the quality of life in New York. Hochul acknowledged his support with a brief remark, "Good for you."