Hochul and Blakeman make final New York campaign push
Hochul campaigned in New York City as she sought a second full term, while Blakeman, Nassau County’s executive, began a statewide tour in Bethpage. Their final appeals came after early voting ended on November 1 and ahead of polls opening from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on November 3.
More than 690,000 people had voted early across New York City, with Brooklyn leading the boroughs at 219,536 ballots. Statewide, unofficial early-voting totals approached 1.7 million, more than 500,000 above the early-vote count for the 2022 midterms. Democrats had cast more early ballots than Republicans, though Republicans have traditionally turned out more often on Election Day.
Hochul highlighted her administration’s work on housing, education, child care and help with utility costs. She also stressed cooperation between state and city leaders. During her campaign, she pointed to policies including expanded free child care, free school meals and investment in the MTA.
Blakeman focused on affordability, taxes, utility bills and public safety, and criticized Hochul’s record. He said he would cut taxes and utility costs and make communities safer. His tour included stops upstate and in Manhattan, alongside Republican candidates for attorney general and comptroller.
Surveys released during the campaign showed Hochul ahead, including an October 28 Siena survey that put her at 54% among likely voters and Blakeman at 40%. Blakeman argued the race could turn on turnout. Voters were scheduled to choose the governor and other candidates on November 3.
Hochul’s record and New York’s future take center stage
Hochul closed her campaign by emphasizing the issues her administration has addressed, including housing, education, child care and utility costs. As voters prepared to choose New York’s governor, the Democrat argued that state and city leaders should work together to improve life for residents.
Her campaign also pointed to expanded free child care, free school meals and MTA investment. Hochul campaigned in New York City, where more than 690,000 people had already voted early. Brooklyn recorded the city’s largest early-vote total, at 219,536.
Blakeman, Nassau County’s executive, spent the final day traveling the state and attacking Hochul over affordability, taxes and public safety. He promised tax and utility-cost cuts, while accusing her of failing on crime. His proposals and criticism framed his closing appeal, but surveys during the campaign showed him trailing.
A Siena poll from October 28 had Hochul at 54% among likely voters and Blakeman at 40%; a Marist survey also showed her ahead. Nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers had voted early, more than 500,000 above the early-voting total in the 2022 midterms. Democrats had outpaced Republicans in early voting, though Republicans have traditionally been more likely to turn out on Election Day.
The choice now rests with voters heading to the polls on November 3, which were scheduled to remain open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hochul’s case centered on her administration’s record and cooperation; Blakeman sought to make the election a referendum on the state’s costs and safety.
Blakeman takes tax-cut message statewide in final push
Bruce Blakeman spent the final day of New York’s governor’s race taking his case against Kathy Hochul across the state. The Nassau County executive focused on taxes, utility costs and public safety, arguing that voters need a change in direction in Albany.
Blakeman began in Bethpage with Republican candidates for attorney general and comptroller, then planned stops in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton and Manhattan. He promised tax cuts and lower utility bills, and said he would make communities safer. His campaign also criticized Hochul’s handling of affordability and criminal justice.
Hochul campaigned in New York City, stressing her administration’s work on housing, education, child care and utility costs. She backed cooperation between state and city leaders and cited policies including expanded free child care, free school meals and MTA investment. Blakeman attacked her record; the governor argued she had delivered for New Yorkers.
Surveys conducted during the campaign showed Hochul ahead. An October 28 Siena survey put her at 54% of likely voters and Blakeman at 40%, while a Marist poll also showed her leading. Blakeman said he believed Democrats and independent voters could help him win, and described the contest as dependent on turnout.
Nearly 1.7 million people had voted early statewide, more than 500,000 above the early-vote total in the 2022 midterms. New York City accounted for more than 690,000 ballots, with Brooklyn leading the boroughs. Polls were set to open November 3 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The final decision will test whether Blakeman’s cost-and-safety message can overcome Hochul’s polling lead.
Reported by ABC7 New York, FOX 5 New York, Brooklyn Paper, CBS New York, New York Post.
