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Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman blasted Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul as a “puppet” of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a campaign rally Sunday.
Speaking at the event in Yorktown Heights, New York, Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive, accused his opponent of embracing the democratic socialist mayor’s agenda while failing to crack down on illegal immigration and crime.
“Kathy Hochul, she was out campaigning with Mamdani this week,” Blakeman said, according to the New York Post. “And I say that’s great.”
“Please take him everywhere you go, Kathy, because I want to remind people that this un-American, antisemite, anti-Christian mayor is running the Democratic Party and Kathy Hochul is nothing more than his puppet,” he continued.
HOCHUL DEFLECTS WHEN PRESSED ON TIES TO ‘ANTI-CHRISTIAN’ MAMDANI IN FIERY DEBATE MOMENT: ‘SHAME ON YOU’
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman sparred over her support for NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a contentious debate last week. (Anna Connors – Pool/Getty Images ; John Nacion/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)
Hochul has been campaigning alongside Mamdani, including at a recent rally in Brooklyn.
The political alliance between the mayor and the governor, who is seeking reelection to a second full term, comes as democratic socialists have gained greater influence in New York politics.
Along with Mamdani’s victory in last year’s mayoral election, candidates aligned with Mamdani and New York’s democratic socialist movement scored major victories in congressional primaries this year, including the defeats of two Democratic incumbents.
Blakeman has previously targeted Hochul and Mamdani over public safety, accusing both Democrats of failing to address crime in New York City.
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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, left, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. (NDZ/Star Max/GC Images/Getty Images; Alexander MacDougall/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
During a campaign appearance on the city’s subway system earlier this month, Blakeman described Hochul as the “most pro-criminal governor” and accused both leaders of failing to keep commuters safe.
Mamdani has also publicly criticized Blakeman, accusing the Republican gubernatorial candidate of engaging in “bigotry and racism” following a debate between Blakeman and Hochul earlier this month.
“I think the governor did a good job,” Mamdani told reporters when asked about Hochul’s response to Blakeman’s criticism. “And I’ll never fault someone for not being able to catch all of it because that is a fool’s errand when it comes to Bruce Blakeman.”
Hochul and Mamdani have emphasized affordability and child care while campaigning together, arguing their policies are aimed at lowering costs for working families.
Digital has reached out to Hochul’s and Mamdani’s offices for comment.
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Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive and Republican candidate for New York governor, who is running to unseat Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and has secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
Digital’s Eric Mack and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this story.
