EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman traded sharp criticism over President Donald Trump, taxes, crime and immigration enforcement as New York’s gubernatorial campaign takes shape.
At times, Hochul focused her criticism on Trump and his policies.
“Donald Trump’s war with Iran is driving up the cost of everything: cost of gas, utilities, groceries—the tariffs, as well,” Hochul said.
She also asked, “Why are we at war with the rest of the world?”
Blakeman, the Nassau County executive and Hochul’s Republican opponent, accused the governor of focusing too heavily on the president rather than her own record.
“You like to talk about Donald Trump all the time because you don’t want to talk about your record,” Blakeman said.
He later added, “Her campaign is all predicated about one thing: Trump, Trump, Trump.”
Blakeman, a supporter of the president, said his officers are assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detentions and deportations. Appearing on Eyewitness News UpClose, which is scheduled to air this Sunday, Blakeman defended his relationship with Trump.
“Donald Trump didn’t raise our taxes. Donald Trump didn’t raise our utility bills. Donald Trump didn’t make our communities less safer. Kathy Hochul did,” Blakeman said.
Hochul pushed back on the president’s immigration policies, saying she recently spoke with him directly.
“I told the president on the phone a couple of days ago. I said, you know, ‘I’ll help you get rid of criminals, but you’re not just going after the worst of the worst like you said you would. You are going after children and families,'” Hochul said.
The governor also linked rising energy costs to the conflict involving Iran and criticized both Trump and Blakeman.
“You know what’s really driving up energy costs is this war in Iran that Donald Trump and Bruce Blakeman fully support. And that’s why you’re seeing a doubling in diesel costs and you’re seeing a 35% increase in gas costs literally just from a few months ago,” Hochul said.
The exchanges highlighted a central divide in the race, with Hochul attacking Trump and his policies while Blakeman argues that voters should focus on the governor’s record in office.
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