NEW YORK — Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman criticized Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul during a campaign rally Sunday, calling her a “puppet” of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and accusing her of supporting policies he opposes on immigration and public safety.
Blakeman, who serves as Nassau County executive, made the remarks at an event in Yorktown Heights, New York. He targeted Hochul’s recent campaign appearances with Mamdani, a democratic socialist whose political agenda has become a point of debate within New York’s Democratic Party.
“Kathy Hochul, she was out campaigning with Mamdani this week,” Blakeman said, according to the New York Post. “And I say that’s great.”
He then criticized the governor’s association with the mayor, saying Mamdani was influencing the direction of the Democratic Party and describing Hochul as his “puppet.”
Blakeman also accused Mamdani of holding views he characterized as anti-American, antisemitic and anti-Christian. Those descriptions reflect Blakeman’s political criticism of the mayor.
Hochul and Mamdani Campaign Together
Hochul has appeared alongside Mamdani at campaign events, including a recent rally in Brooklyn. Their joint appearances have highlighted issues such as affordability and child care, with both Democrats arguing that their policy proposals could help reduce costs for working families.
The partnership comes as democratic socialists have gained a more prominent role in New York politics. Mamdani’s mayoral victory last year and wins by candidates aligned with the movement in congressional primaries this year have contributed to broader debates over the Democratic Party’s political direction.
Some of those primary contests resulted in the defeats of Democratic incumbents, underscoring divisions within the party over its leadership and policy priorities.
Hochul is seeking reelection to a second full term as governor. Her association with Mamdani has become a point of criticism for Blakeman, who has sought to distinguish his campaign from the policies supported by the Democratic leaders.
Blakeman Focuses on Crime and Public Safety
Blakeman has repeatedly criticized Hochul and Mamdani over public safety, arguing that their approaches have not adequately addressed crime in New York City.
Earlier this month, during a campaign appearance on the city’s subway system, Blakeman called Hochul the “most pro-criminal governor” and accused both Democrats of failing to keep commuters safe.
Mamdani, meanwhile, has pushed back against Blakeman’s criticism. Following a debate between Blakeman and Hochul earlier this month, the mayor accused the Republican candidate of engaging in what he described as “bigotry and racism.”
When reporters asked Mamdani about Hochul’s response to Blakeman’s remarks, he praised the governor’s performance.
“I think the governor did a good job,” Mamdani said, adding that responding to all of Blakeman’s criticism would be a “fool’s errand.”
The exchange reflects the increasingly sharp rhetoric surrounding the New York governor’s race, with the candidates and their political allies clashing over public safety, immigration and the direction of state and city leadership.
Affordability Remains a Focus
While Blakeman has emphasized immigration enforcement and public safety in his attacks on the Democratic leaders, Hochul and Mamdani have focused on the cost of living and child care during their joint campaign appearances.
Their messaging centers on policies they say would help working families manage household expenses. The competing priorities have become part of a wider debate over the issues that will shape the gubernatorial campaign.
Fox News Digital reported that it had reached out to the offices of Hochul and Mamdani for comment. The provided report did not include responses from either office.
As the campaign continues, the relationship between Hochul and Mamdani is likely to remain a subject of political debate, particularly as Blakeman seeks to make their policy alignment a central issue in his challenge to the incumbent governor.
