Hochul and Blakeman make final pitches as early voting closes Sunday
With two days of in-person voting left, New York candidates focus on record turnout and economic grievances ahead of Tuesday's election.
By Alina Carter ·
Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman spent Friday delivering final campaign messages as New York enters its last weekend of early voting. The statewide ballot closes on Sunday, leaving voters with two more days to cast ballots before Election Day on Tuesday. Both candidates used the day to target undecided voters and emphasize their distinct policy platforms.
Hochul campaigned in Brooklyn early in the morning, shaking hands and taking photos with supporters. She focused her messaging on the relationship between Blakeman and President Donald Trump. The governor argued that Blakeman intends to apply a specific style of leadership to the state that many New Yorkers dislike. She claimed that voters are responding to this message with high turnout numbers compared to previous cycles.
"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. He wants to bring Trump-style leadership to New York, and that is just abhorrent to all of us," Hochul said. "So voters are rising up. They're voting in record numbers, and you look at the Early Voting tolls compared to 2025 or 2024."
Hochul also addressed the naming of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, a topic that has generated long-standing petition efforts. She stated that she has respect for the former governor and no intention of reversing the bridge's name. "He was a leader for our time back when he gave such beautiful oratory, and I don't have any intention of changing that," she said.
Blakeman, who serves as Nassau County executive, participated in a swearing-in ceremony for new Nassau Police recruits. The event served a dual purpose, fulfilling county duties while reinforcing his image as a candidate focused on public safety. He also signed a pledge committing to a no-tax-increase policy if he wins the governorship.
"This state is one of the least affordable states in the United States of America. Under Kathy Hochul, we're the highest tax state in America, the highest. It's a badge of shame," Blakeman said. "Under Kathy Hochul, our utility bills are 70% higher than the national average. People are choking on their electric bills here in New York state, and we are last, dead last, in economic outlook."
Blakeman continued by arguing that the state is failing to create jobs and that businesses and residents are leaving. "That means we're not creating jobs, we're not creating prosperity. Businesses are moving out. People are moving out of our state," he said. Beyond the governor's race, all state Senate and Assembly members face voters on Tuesday, alongside congressional contests that could determine control of the House.
