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.
Not bad for an incumbent whose supporters insist the election is well in hand.
Kevin Donohue, speaking for Greater Empire State, described Hochul as being “in a commanding position to win re-election.” Blakeman’s campaign had a different explanation for the sudden burst of spending: Democrats are getting nervous.
The advertisements target “MAGA Bruce Blakeman” and link him to what the group calls Trump’s “cost-raising agenda.” Hochul spent much of Tuesday’s debate on the same subject. By one count, the governor mentioned Trump’s name approximately 20 times.
Blakeman would rather talk about New York’s taxes and electric bills.
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.
“I think Hochul is a useful tool of the socialist Democratic, anti-American movement in her party and that she is now taking orders from Zohran Mamdani, who clearly is the Democratic Party leader.”
Blakeman also wants major changes to the state’s tax structure. Under his proposal, single filers earning less than $50,000 and married couples earning less than $100,000 would pay no state income tax. People earning less than $250,000 would receive a 10 percent reduction.
He has promised to cut electricity bills in half, in part by allowing more natural gas production. Pennsylvania, where natural gas extraction is permitted, is his favorite comparison.
His campaign puts the cost of the tax cuts at approximately $35 billion. Blakeman argues that economic growth would help replace the revenue, though he has yet to lay out enough specifics to account for the full amount. There is also Albany to contend with. Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature, and most of his proposals would need their approval.
Hochul, meanwhile, is not hurting for money.
By the end of September, her campaign had about $19 million in the bank. Blakeman reported $178,000. He has support from outside committees, including one backed by Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan, but the difference in their campaign accounts is substantial.
The state Democratic Party transferred another $10 million to Hochul last month. Now Greater Empire State has collected its $4.34 million.
The polling isn’t quite as lopsided. A Pollfinity survey released Tuesday put Blakeman three points behind Hochul, although other surveys have shown her with a considerably larger lead. She has been ahead in every public poll cited in the race’s recent reporting.
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.
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