New York State’s last Republican Governor was George Pataki, who served as Governor from January 1, 1995, to January 1, 2007. It seems that the current race for Governor may actually be close.
On Sunday, Legal Insurrection reported:
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has a considerable financial advantage over Republican Bruce Blakeman. Apparently, Democrats would like a little more insurance.
A Democratic Governors Association-backed super PAC has collected $4.34 million for the final weeks of the governor’s reelection campaign. Greater Empire State reported the contributions between late July and October 2, then rolled out two ads Saturday targeting Blakeman over his support for President Donald Trump.
Three donors accounted for $3 million. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave $1 million, as did the Greater New York Hospital Association Management Corp. Another million came from Leadership for New York, a super PAC headed by Jay Martin, formerly of the New York Apartment Association.
The Sports Betting Alliance and Hess Corporation CEO John Hess also contributed.
The article includes some comments by Kathy Hochul’s opponent, Republican Bruce Blakeman:
Speaking in an interview published Saturday, the Nassau County executive accused Hochul of using Trump to avoid discussing her record. He didn’t deny knowing the president or supporting him. Quite the opposite.
“Donald Trump is my friend. He has supported me, and I have supported him. But the decisions that I make will be decisions made solely in what I feel is in the best interest of New Yorkers.”
His criticism went further when the conversation turned to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Hochul has tried to maintain her reputation as a moderate while supporting the city’s socialist mayor. Blakeman isn’t buying the distinction. He accused her of allowing Mamdani and the Democratic Party’s progressive wing to dictate where the state is headed.
The article concludes:
New York Republicans have been here before. In 2022, Lee Zeldin came within six points of defeating Hochul, despite running in a state where Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans. The GOP hasn’t elected a governor since George Pataki.
Affordability may be the bigger obstacle to Hochul’s preferred campaign argument. A September Quinnipiac survey found that 28 percent of likely voters considered the cost of living their top concern. Another 21 percent chose the economy, while nine percent named immigration.
Those are different priorities from the Trump-centered attacks now filling the airwaves.
Hochul’s allies say they’re not worried. The $4.3 million says otherwise.
Early voting starts October 24.
Stay tuned.