General Election
Governor · Statewide
Open seat race for New York Governor between Hochul and Blakeman
The 2026 New York gubernatorial election is an open seat race between Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican Bruce A. Blakeman. Hochul has raised $21.6 million, while Blakeman's fundraising is not yet reported. Key issues include public safety, immigration, and taxes.
Issues
3 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced
Public Safety and Transit Safety
Hochul emphasizes investing in safety on streets and subways, while Blakeman highlights his record of hiring hundreds of police and making Nassau County the safest in America, opposing sanctuary policies.
The data behind the debate
Subway Crime Trends Under Governor Hochul
Kathy Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul is investing in keeping New York streets and subways safe.
Kathy Hochul Campaign – Accomplishments ↗Bruce A. Blakeman
Blakeman emphasizes keeping communities safe, hiring hundreds of new police officers, and opposing sanctuary policies. He states that under his leadership, Nassau County was named the safest county in America and he hired over 600 new police and law enforcement officers.
Campaign page ↗Immigration
Blakeman opposes sanctuary policies, stating he rejected Hochul's sanctuary policies and works with ICE to remove criminals.
Bruce A. Blakeman
Blakeman opposes sanctuary policies and says he said no to Kathy Hochul's sanctuary policies, working with ICE to take criminals off the streets.
Campaign page ↗No public position yet from Hochul
Universal Child Care
Hochul is working to deliver universal child care for New York families.
Kathy Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul is working to deliver universal child care for New York families.
Kathy Hochul Campaign – Accomplishments ↗Bruce A. Blakeman
Blakeman criticizes Hochul's NYC-only child care plan, saying it forces suburbs and upstate to pay for NYC kids at their expense.
Press release on campaign site ↗