New York governor race 2026: Kathy Hochul vs. Bruce Blakeman

The basics

New Yorkers vote Nov. 3. Hochul became governor in August 2021 when Andrew Cuomo resigned and was elected to a full term in 2022 with 53.1% of the vote, the closest New York governor's race since 1994. Blakeman is the Republican and Conservative nominee. President Donald Trump endorsed him in December 2025, the day after U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out of the Republican primary. Libertarian Larry Sharpe is also running.

The candidates

Kathy Hochul (D) was lieutenant governor before succeeding Cuomo. She says her administration has created "over 800,000 jobs" and that "fighting for jobs is everything," ABC7 New York reported. She has been endorsed by unions including the building trades and firefighter unions.

Bruce Blakeman (R) was elected Nassau County executive in 2021 and reelected in 2025 by more than 10 points. He was earlier a Port Authority commissioner and the 1998 Republican nominee for state comptroller. His running mate is Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, FOX 5 NY reported. Court officers' and correction officers' unions have endorsed him, as has the actor Debra Messing, a longtime Democratic supporter, the New York Post reported.

Where the race stands

Hochul leads every recent independent poll by double digits. Siena College (Oct. 19–22, 807 likely voters, ±4.1) had Hochul 54%, Blakeman 40%. Quinnipiac (Oct. 15–19, 1,167 likely voters, ±3.8) had Hochul 55%, Blakeman 41%. And Marist (Oct. 22–25) had Hochul 53%, Blakeman 42%. STTPN's average of five recent independent polls is Hochul 54.6%, Blakeman 40.8%. Cook rates the race Solid Democratic, Sabato's Crystal Ball Safe Democratic and Inside Elections Likely Democratic.

The issues

Affordability

Blakeman says "Kathy Hochul has made it unaffordable to live in this state," citing utility bills he says are 70% above the national average, and has promised to cut them in half. He wants to repeal congestion pricing in Manhattan. Hochul defends the program, saying "we're the only place in the country that has it". Supporters say it has reduced traffic and improved air quality. At their Oct. 13 debate, Hochul argued that ending Trump's tariffs and the war in Iran would lower grocery and gas prices, FOX 5 NY reported.

Public safety

Blakeman calls Hochul "the most pro-criminal governor" and opposes cashless bail, parole board decisions he calls lenient and the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement. He says he hired nearly 1,000 police and law enforcement officers in Nassau County and points to a rise in subway murders this year.

Trump

Trump came up dozens of times in the debate. Hochul says Blakeman backs "everything" Trump does and lacks the nerve to stand up to him. Blakeman says Hochul focuses on Trump to avoid her record, which he called one of "misery and failure," and notes he differs with Trump on some issues: he supports abortion rights and a guest worker program. Trump, who campaigned with Blakeman on Long Island in August, has called him "MAGA all the way." Blakeman's campaign also says he eliminated $150 million in property tax increases scheduled by his predecessor in Nassau County.

Controversies

Blakeman has faulted Hochul, a Cornell University trustee, over the handling of 2024 sexual assault allegations at the school, saying she did not seek an independent investigation when the district attorney dropped the case. Hochul says she did call for one and called his criticism "pathetic." The candidates also clashed over sanctuary policies and a shooting involving federal immigration agents, Fox News reported. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has backed Hochul, which Republicans have highlighted.