Nov. 1 – Hochul, AOC and Mamdani walk into a bar
Murphy’s Sports Bar in Astoria, Queens
Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani watched a Buffalo Bills game together on Nov. 1.
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Dave Sanders-Pool/Getty Images
On the final day of early voting before Election Day, Gov. Kathy Hochul opted for familiar territory: watching the Buffalo Bills game, and hitting diners in deep-blue neighborhoods. But there was a brand new twist – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined her on the campaign trail for the first time this cycle. Meanwhile, Hochul’s Republican opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, spent the day outside the five boroughs in a statewide blitz ending with a rally in the Capital Region. Read more here.
– Rebecca C. Lewis, Kate Lisa and Jeff Coltin
Oct. 26 – State legislative general election races to watch
The top contests for the state Senate and Assembly.
Democrat Joey Cohen-Saban is attempting to unseat Republican Assembly Member Michael Novakhov in southern Brooklyn.
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Joey Cohen-Saban Campaign
Unlike during primary season in New York, when many hot state legislative contests are in New York City or elsewhere downstate, the most tightly contested races in November are taking place in many different areas of the state. And those races come with a variety of dynamics, be it varying demographics or stronger coattails from the top of the ticket. With Republicans unlikely to gain a majority in either chamber anytime soon, a lot of the intrigue in this year’s races is about where Democrats can make inroads in an expected “blue wave” election – and whether they can once again secure a supermajority in the state Senate. Here are the state legislative races we’ll be keeping an eye on. Read more here.
– Rebecca C. Lewis, Kate Lisa and Sahalie Donaldson
Oct. 19 – Why did Bruce Blakeman go 100% MAGA?
The former Long Island moderate is facing the music.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman embraces President Donald Trump at an election rally on Oct. 9.
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Alex Wong/Getty Images
Once a prototypical Long Island Republican moderate, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has leaned into his closeness to Donald Trump in recent years, modeling his political style after the combative president. Blakeman has taken lessons from Trump’s bombastic rhetorical style and become a leading conservative figure on culture war issues and public safety, creating what has been criticized as an armed civilian militia and agreeing to establish a first-in-the-nation ban on trans women athletes competing on women’s teams at county facilities. Read more here.
– Rebecca C. Lewis
Oct. 19 – Congressional general election races to watch
Several swing seats stand out in New York.
Rep. Mike Lawler is trying to hang on to his seat in one of the closest House races in the country.
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Kena Betancur/Getty Images
Could 2026 be another “blue wave”? The answer could very well be found in New York. From the wealthiest enclaves of Long Island to the remote reaches of Northern New York, control of the House of Representatives will likely come down to a couple dozen battleground districts, including a few in the Empire State. That includes some of the tightest toss-ups, such as Republican Rep. Mike Lawler’s precarious bid to hold onto his Lower Hudson Valley seat, and Democrats’ attempts to do the same in a couple of mercurial Long Island districts. But if there are common themes to these competitive seats – the Trump factor, the copious outside spending, a steady stream of opposition research – they each hold their own eccentricities and colorful characters. City & State broke down everything you need to know about the most competitive congressional general election races in New York. Read more here.