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.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman battled over immigration, utility costs, data centers and other key political issues in their one and only debate on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The hourlong back and forth, which took place at Spectrum News' Chelsea studio in Manhattan, grew tense at times, with the two candidates talking over each other and the moderators at several points. Hochul consistently pushed her campaign's narrative of tying Blakeman to President Donald Trump, while the Nassau County executive countered the accusations by asserting Hochul kept
using that attack to deflect from her record as governor that was marked by "failure and misery."
On immigration issues, Blakeman, who highlighted his plan to remove the state's sanctuary status "on day one" if elected, bashed Hochul's recent policy changes included in this year's budget that end cooperation pacts between ICE and local law enforcement statewide. Hochul, however, defended her decision, calling ICE "out of control."
Part of Blakeman's plan to reduce New Yorkers' energy costs, in which he says he'll cut utility bills in half, is to "extract the natural gas from the Marcellus Shale" and "get rid of that green energy scam of Kathy Hochul." The governor acknowledged that her recent energy rebate checks, of which her office says 3 million New Yorkers have already received, are a "short term solution" and that she plans to continue down her path toward an "all-of-the-above" approach to energy.
Both Hochul and Blakeman's positions on whether New York needs stronger AI regulations were generally the same. Blakeman said "people have a right to be compensated" if they're harmed by AI, and Hochul said there has to be consequences for "out of control" AI.
However, the two candidates were more at odds over the governor's recent one-year moratorium on large data centers in the state, as Blakeman asserted Hochul "took (upstate New Yorkers') right away to make decisions about data centers."
NY Knicks owner fundraiser for Blakeman at Madison Square Garden
James Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks, planned to host a fundraiser for Blakeman at Madison Square Garden before the team's preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, Oct. 15, USA TODAY reported.
As first reported by the New York Post, an invitation included in the news outlet's story revealed tickets to attend the event started at $10,000. Blakeman said in a statement that he's proud to have Dolan's support and advice.
Dolan has shown his support for the Republican gubernatorial candidate and Nassau County executive throughout his campaign. Blakeman was seen alongside Trump in Dolan's suite during Game 3 of the Knicks' 2026 NBA championship run earlier this year.
The businessman is also one of the biggest Republican donors in the state for the 2026 midterm cycle, according to Politico, as he's donated a combined $1.4 million between himself, his company and family members to committees for Blakeman. Super PACs supporting Hochul's Republican challenger have also received millions from Dolan.
New Hochul ad tells voters to 'talk to the lunch lady'
Hochul's campaign has added a new advertisement to the mix with less than three weeks until Election Day.
The ad, titled "Lunch Lady," shows Hochul walking through a school lunch line and features three school cafeteria workers, or lunch ladies. The lunch ladies assert that they're the "eyes and ears of this place" and that Hochul has been "paying attention too." It touts how the governor has improved New York's schools by banning cell phones, securing universal free meals and working toward universal Pre-K.
As part of a multimillion-dollar statewide ad campaign running through Nov. 3, the 30-second ad will appear on broadcast, cable, streaming, and digital platforms, according to Hochul's campaign.
"Ask any lunch lady: Governor Hochul is taking the burden of parent's plates and putting free school meals on kids' trays," says Hochul campaign communications director Sarafina Chitika. "Thanks to her, phones and social media are out of classrooms and young families are saving tens of thousands of dollars a year thanks to Universal Pre-K —because your family is her fight."
Lawler, Conley face off in final NY-17 debate; Hochul opts NY into Trump-backed school tax credits
Here are some additional topics related to the governor's race that the USA TODAY Network-New York has reported on this week:
- 5 takeaways from final Lawler and Conley debate in NY-17 House race
- Hochul opts NY into Trump-backed school tax credits despite pushback
- Faculty call out Cornell's 'failure' amid no-confidence vote debate
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: Hochul-Blakeman debate, MSG fundraiser, new ad top NY governor's race
