The campaign trail in the race for governor went through New York City Tuesday as both Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, tried to get some attention in what’s often known as the dog days of August.
Hochul spent time on the Lower East Side promoting a food benefits program for kids, and Blakeman was in Flushing, Queens, with business leaders.
While talking to kids at the nonprofit Grand Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, Hochul reminded eligible families to apply for $120 provided by the Electronic Benefits Transfer Program before its Sept. 8 deadline.
“It’ll help offset the cost of healthy meals, make it a little bit easier for families to have a little less stress in their lives as they’re talking about ways to pay for the utility bills,” she said.
In less than 85 days out from Election Day, Hochul also touted support she’s given to families during her time as the state’s chief executive.
“A tax credit for every family with a child under the age of four; $1,800 baby bonus for struggling families to help with the cost of a newborn,” she said.
She also highlighted future goals.
“We are moving full steam ahead on our promise, our promise from the state to have universal childcare for every child in the state of New York,” Hochul said. “This is a personal fight for me. You’ve heard me tell the story of having to give up a job that I loved.”
Hochul has spent much of the summer campaigning in suburban areas, like Long Island, where President Donald Trump is scheduled to stump this Friday for Blakeman.
She’s argued that the administration’s policies have burdened New Yorkers.
“Families, delivery trucks, small businesses, senior centers, seniors.. That’s all because of Donald Trump. I encourage him to focus on the issues that he has wrought havoc on and try to solve that crisis,” Hochul said.
In Queens, Blakeman discussed Trump’s upcoming visit.
“He wants to honor our police officers, our deputy sheriffs, our corrections officers. Our probation officers,” he said.
“She is always passing laws and doing things that makes it easier for criminals to operate in our communities,” Blakeman added.
He also slammed the governor for enacting a one-year moratorium on data centers.
“Here’s the problem with it: it’s the fastest-growing industry in the world. We are the Empire State and we’re not competing. And she says she needs time to figure it out. ‘Well, Kathy, you had four years to figure it out. What have you been doing?'” Blakeman said.
He was asked about whether he’ll end Nassau County’s local law enforcement agencies’ agreements with federal immigration authorities, known as 287g agreements.
“We removed over 2,000 illegal migrants with criminal records,” Blakeman said in response. “What community do you want to destroy? She’s saying that it’s anti-immigration. No, it’s law enforcement. I happen to be pro-immigration.”
But when pressed, he admitted: “A court of law told me I must terminate the agreement, then I believe in the rule of law and even if I don’t agree with the law, I swore to uphold the law.”
Hochul is ahead of Blakeman in fundraising figures and in polling.
The Republican has also opted to partake in the state’s new public campaign matching funds program. Hochul has declined.