Blakeman pledges tax freeze as Hochul pushes back on Trump comparison
With early voting set to end Sunday, New York gubernatorial candidates made final stops to address taxes and leadership style.
By Lauren Bello ·
New York voters have just two days left to cast ballots before Election Day. Republican Bruce Blakeman and Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul spent Friday making their final pitches to undecided voters across the state.
Hochul began her day at a campaign stop in Brooklyn. She shook hands and posed for photos with supporters. She focused her message on Blakeman's close ties to President Donald Trump. Hochul argued that voters wanted to reject what she called Trump-style leadership. "People are energized to get out and vote. They know how important it is to really reject the negativity of what Bruce Blakeman is talking about," she said.
During the same week, Hochul addressed a long-running public debate over the name of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Petitions have gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures asking for the bridge to revert to the name Tappan Zee Bridge. Hochul said she had no intention of changing the current name. She noted her history of working on Cuomo's election campaigns.
Blakeman spent Friday on county business that also served a political purpose. He swore in a new group of Nassau Police recruits. The event allowed him to position himself as a candidate focused on public safety. He also signed a pledge promising not to raise taxes if he wins the governorship.
Blakeman criticized the current state government for making New York unaffordable. He stated that utility bills are 70 percent higher than the national average. "Under Kathy Hochul, we're the highest tax state in America, the highest. It's a badge of shame," he said. He added that the state ranks last in economic outlook, leading to businesses and residents leaving.
Early voting continues through Sunday. Officials report record turnout numbers for this cycle. Election Day falls on Tuesday. In addition to the governor's race, all members of the state Senate and Assembly are on the ballot. Several congressional races are also in play that could determine control of the House.
The campaign will conclude with the final hours of voting. Voters will head to polling locations to decide the next leader of New York. The results will determine the direction of state policy on taxes and public safety.
