New York Governor's Race This Week is a weekly column by USA TODAY Network-New York reporters highlighting aspects of the 2026 campaign to lead the Empire State.
A recent social media post made by New York's Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has created a swirl of controversy across the state.
Earlier this week, Blakeman posted a photo of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wearing a head covering and labeled it "Hijab Hochul" and "Kathy's latest costume: Whatever the audience wants."
"Kathy Hochul will say whatever she needs to say and become whoever she needs to become when there are votes on the line," Blakeman's post added. "Less than two weeks before the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this kind of political pandering is especially tone-deaf."
It comes after President Donald Trump also shared the photo in a Truth Social post, calling Hochul the "Worst Governor in the Country" and using it as a chance to resurface his prior criticisms of New York City's congestion pricing program, which the two were entangled in a legal battle over last year.
"Congestion Pricing in Manhattan is hurting her with everybody, but especially the people for whom she wears the hijab," Trump said.
Hochul responded to the president's post with one of her own, noting the photo was from a visit to a Muslim house of worship where she wore a head covering as a sign of respect.
"That used to be standard in this country before you came along," Hochul said in reference to Trump. "I'll never apologize for treating people of any faith with dignity, no matter how Islamophobic you and your enablers are."
The governor also responded to Blakeman's post while speaking with reporters on Long Island on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
"He has taken this to a new level, and I think the voters will reject that," Hochul said. "To try and divide New Yorkers based on their attire when they go to a religious observance ... if he has a problem with that, that says a lot more about him than it does to anybody else."
Blakeman's social media post faces criticism
Multiple groups spoke out against Blakeman's post in recent days, with some calling for its removal. Nassau County Democrats called the post "a dangerous dog whistle designed to divide New Yorkers," and pushed the Nassau County executive to remove the post and issue an apology.
"We cannot accept leaders who exploit religious differences for political gain," the group added.
CAIR New York, a branch of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, called Blakeman's and Trump's posts "nonsense" and "just foolish clickbait tactics for Islamophobes."
Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, said New Yorkers "should have no respect for (Blakeman's) little man bigotry," and that Blakeman should "stop spreading Islamophobic hate just because you would suck at being gov."
Hochul clashes with the federal Department of Homeland Security
Hochul called on Trump and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to fully fund New York's counterterrorism efforts, which she says amounts to $87 million in federal funds still owed to the state. It's the latest in the ongoing battle between the governor and federal officials.
Last year, the Trump administration cut this funding in New York by 86%, Hochul says, but Trump since vowed to fully restore it. The governor, however, says that has yet to happen.
"Another example of Donald Trump endangering public safety to yet again exact revenge on a blue state," Hochul said alongside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "It's wrong, and he should work with me to keep people safe, not make them more vulnerable to terrorism attacks and crimes."
Hochul's office says the remaining funds would ensure the full funding of the following:
- The New York City Police Department's intelligence analysts and counterterrorism unit
- The Fire Department of New York City's interoperable communication and radiological response capabilities
- The Joint Task Force Empire Shield, which is responsible for the state's National Guard presenece in transit hubs
- New York's 12 certified bomb squads
- Equipment purchases, training, exercises and preparedness efforts for counties, sheriffs and local police departments
Mullin was also in New York City on Tuesday holding a news conference of his own, according to Hochul. The DHS secretary was there to tout the success of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Operation Rotten Apple. The more than month-long initiative resulted in the arrests of 2,197 non-citizens across New York state, DHS stated.
In a social media post that same day, DHS called out Hochul and Mamdani specifically, saying "We are not going away."
Hochul used this to double down on her call for the $87 million and said to "spare us the theatrics," adding that "New York works with federal law enforcement every day to take dangerous criminals off the streets."
Trump continues to tout Blakeman
Trump took aim at Hochul over her support for Canada in the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and its northern neighbor in an Aug. 28 Truth Social post. In it, Trump also says it's why Blakeman will be Hochul's successor this year and encouraged New Yorkers to vote for the Republican candidate.
Hochul slammed both Trump and Blakeman in her response.
"Let me guess, the President is attacking me because I'm standing up for New York families," Hochul said. "That's something MAGA puppet Bruce Blakeman knows nothing about."
"I won't be intimidated by anyone — not the President, not my spineless opponent," she added.
Later that same day, Trump again lauded Blakeman in another Truth Social post that bashed Hochul for supporting Canada and speaking out against renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America." Hochul addressed Blakeman specifically this time, telling him "Don't even think about renaming Ontario County."
Trump first endorsed Blakeman in December after Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out of the governor's race and has since taken to social media to bolster that support several times. The two have also made several public appearances, including at Game 3 of the New York Knicks' championship run earlier this year and at rallies in Rockland and Nassau counties in recent months.
New poll puts Hochul comfortably ahead of Blakeman
A statewide survey of likely voters first reported on by Politico shows a 16-point Hochul lead over her Republican challenger.
Concord Public Opinion Partners for non-profit education-focused think tank Education Reform Now conducted the survey of 505 respondents between Aug. 19 and Aug. 21, which found Hochul leads Blakeman 50% to 34%.
"Hochul is the only tested figure to clear double-digit net favorability, and her strength runs deep across the electorate, leading big among Black (65%) and Latino (64%) voters," the study revealed. Blakeman's favorability, however, was not tested.
Polling results for the governor's race have been a bit scattered in recent months. The latest Siena Research Institute poll of likely voters released in August showed Hochul with a 10-point lead over Blakeman; down from a 20-point lead in June, which looked at all regular voters.
And Blakeman has been touting two Republican-leaning polls as proof that he's closing the gap — a poll cited by conservative radio station 77WABC showing him within six points of Hochul and a poll cited by the New York Post on July 28, which puts him within four points of his challenger.
How Republican SNAP changes are impacting New York; Hochul boosts state funds for crime victims
Here are some additional topics related to the governor's race that the USA TODAY Network-New York has reported on this week:
- How Republican SNAP food aid changes are impacting New York
- Hochul boosts NY state funds for crime victims after outcry over cuts
- New York reveals how many school districts are adding pre-K seats
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers' taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Blakeman's 'hijab Hochul' post, Trump clashes top NY governor's race
