Hochul and Blakeman make final New York campaign push

Hochul and Blakeman made campaign stops across New York City on October 31, seeking support during the final weekend of early voting in the governor’s race. Hochul spoke in Brooklyn and campaigned in Jamaica, while Blakeman rallied supporters in Queens’ Middle Village.

Hochul emphasized affordability, child care, education and expanding housing. She argued that building more homes is necessary to ease rents and increase the chance of homeownership. In Brooklyn, she also spoke to the United University Professions union about labor jobs in higher education and described the state’s economic outlook positively.

Blakeman attacked Hochul’s record on affordability and raised the prospect of tax increases under her leadership. He proposed eliminating state income tax on the first $100,000 earned by joint filers and said he would seek to cut utility costs by 50%. Hochul denied that she planned to increase taxes, saying the state could fund priorities within its current budget.

Early voting was drawing substantial participation. More than 104,000 people voted across New York City’s five boroughs on Saturday, bringing the total since voting began October 24 to more than 572,000, city election officials said. Another tally put the number of ballots cast by Friday night above 468,000.

Some polls showed Hochul with a double-digit lead, which Blakeman disputed. Sunday, November 1, was the final day of early voting; Election Day is Tuesday. Every seat in the state Senate and Assembly is also on the ballot.

Hochul puts affordability and housing at center of final campaign push

Hochul’s final-weekend pitch focused on the everyday costs facing New Yorkers: housing, child care and education. Campaigning in Brooklyn and Jamaica on October 31, she argued that increasing housing supply is essential to bringing down rents and expanding access to homeownership.

Blakeman’s attack on affordability centered on claims that Hochul could raise taxes. He proposed eliminating state income tax on the first $100,000 earned by joint filers and promised to pursue lower utility costs. Hochul rejected the tax accusation, saying current budget resources could support health care, child care and infrastructure investments.

The two campaigns offered voters opposing accounts of how to make life more affordable, with Hochul stressing public investment and housing construction and Blakeman promoting tax relief. Early voting continued through Sunday, November 1. More than 572,000 New Yorkers had voted in the city since October 24, including over 104,000 on Saturday alone; Election Day is Tuesday.

Blakeman targets Hochul’s record as New York race enters final stretch

Bruce Blakeman used his final-weekend campaign appearances to make affordability and taxes the central test of Kathy Hochul’s governorship. In Queens’ Middle Village on October 31, he charged that Hochul had not ruled out raising taxes and proposed eliminating state income tax on the first $100,000 earned by joint filers. He also pledged to seek a 50% reduction in utility costs.

Hochul rejected the prospect of tax increases and argued that the existing budget could cover priorities including child care and infrastructure. Her campaign stressed housing construction, education and other investments, arguing that more homes could help bring rents down.

With some polls showing Hochul ahead by double digits, Blakeman challenged that picture and said his campaign was competitive. The candidates’ contrasting messages now go to voters as early voting concludes Sunday, November 1. More than 572,000 people had cast ballots in New York City since October 24, including over 104,000 on Saturday. Election Day is Tuesday.