New York governor 2026

Compare candidates running in this New York federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Bruce Blakeman

Party: Republican

Kathy Hochul

Party: Democrat

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governor

New York governor

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
likely d— Sabato's Crystal Ball (as of March 2026)

New York is a heavily Democratic state where Republicans have not won statewide office since 2002. While Hochul faces moderate approval ratings and voter dissatisfaction with the state's direction, the state's strong Democratic lean makes a Republican flip unlikely in 2026, though the race could be more competitive than typical for the state.

Bruce BlakemanR
Kathy HochulD

Summary

Bruce Blakeman is the Nassau County Executive and Republican nominee for New York Governor. First elected to the county post in 2019, he was re-elected in November 2025 by a double-digit margin. Blakeman announced his gubernatorial campaign in December 2025 and received President Donald Trump's endorsement on December 20, 2025. He frames himself as bringing his Nassau County leadership record—focusing on public safety, tax control, and immigration enforcement—to the statewide level.

Kathy Hochul is New York's 57th and first female governor. She assumed office in August 2021 following Andrew Cuomo's resignation and was elected to a full term in 2022 with 53.1% of the vote in the closest New York gubernatorial election since 1994. Born in Buffalo, she previously served as Lieutenant Governor (2015-2021), U.S. Representative for NY-26 (2011-2013), and Erie County Clerk (2007-2011). Hochul is pursuing a second full term in 2026.

View Bruce Blakeman's Full Profile →View Kathy Hochul's Full Profile →

Campaign Promises

Public Safety
  • Bring public safety to state level
  • Address crime in transit system and public spaces
Economy
  • Control costs and reduce taxes
  • Lower energy bills and address grid reliability
Immigration
  • Enforce immigration laws and oppose sanctuary policies
Public Safety
  • Strengthen gun violence prevention
Education
  • Expand affordable child care
Environment
  • Implement congestion pricing
Healthcare
  • Protect abortion rights
Economy
  • Make New York more affordable

Key Issue Positions

Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Tough-on-crime, aggressive law enforcement
Touts Nassau County as safest in America; hired 600+ officers; advocates for strong enforcement
Immigration and ICE Cooperation
Immigration enforcement hawk
Claims to have deported 2,000 illegal migrants with criminal records; opposed sanctuary city policies
Affordability and Taxes
Anti-tax, limited government
Claims to have eliminated $150 million in scheduled tax increases; opposes Hochul and Mamdani's tax policies
COVID-19 Mandates
Anti-mandate
Fought state mask and vaccine mandates; signed Mask Transparency Act in Nassau County
LGBTQ+ Issues
Conservative social positions
Implemented ban on transgender athletes in county sports facilities
Public Safety and Gun Violence
Strong gun safety advocate
Gun violence has declined 50% since Hochul took office; $227 million invested in public safety initiatives
Affordability and Cost of Living
Economic relief for working families
Voters remain skeptical, with majority saying state heading in wrong direction despite affordability proposals
Transportation and Environment
Congestion pricing supporter (with caveats)
Initially strong supporter, paused, then unpaused with reduced toll; program now in effect since January 2026
Reproductive Rights
Strong abortion rights advocate
Made New York a sanctuary state for abortion; signed comprehensive reproductive protections in 2022

Top Donors

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

Claim: In 2023, Hochul championed congestion pricing at rallies and public events, calling it necessary leadership for New York's future.
Contradiction: In June 2024, days before implementation, Hochul announced an indefinite pause, citing affordability concerns and conversations with constituents at diners.

What Opponents Say

Kathy Hochul campaign

Blakeman is a 'bootlicker' who has lost almost every race he's touched and 'takes money out of New Yorkers' pockets'

Hochul campaign attacked Blakeman's electoral history and fiscal record

Elise Stefanik campaign (before her withdrawal)

Blakeman is 'an early Christmas present to Kathy Hochul' and works to blow Republicans' best chance to win

Stefanik criticized Blakeman's entry into Republican primary as damaging to GOP chances

Zohran Mamdani

Blakeman is someone who 'looks at what ICE is doing and thinks it's exactly what this city needs to see.' His focus is on 'how to round up as many people as possible and send them as far away as he can'

NYC Mayor Mamdani criticized Blakeman's aggressive immigration enforcement stance

Bruce Blakeman

Hochul has secret plans to raise taxes on middle class, just like she did with congestion pricing

Blakeman criticized Hochul for suddenly pausing congestion pricing without warning constituents

Bruce Blakeman

'Comrade Kathy' is lockstep with Zohran Mamdani on taxes and will raise costs on New Yorkers

Blakeman used campaign rhetoric linking Hochul to NYC Mayor Mamdani over affordability

Endorsements

Donald Trumpindividual
New York Republican Partyorganization
Conservative Party of New York Stateorganization
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezindividual
Zohran Mamdaniindividual
New York Democratic Partyorganization