Blakeman Faces Financial Challenge Against Hochul
ALBANY – Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is going up against considerable financial odds in his campaign against Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Democratic Party. This party has backing from influential labor unions, affluent corporations, and billionaire supporters, which makes the competition quite daunting.
As of the latest campaign finance reports submitted Thursday, Blakeman has raised nearly $1.5 million since officially entering the race just three weeks before December. A large portion, about $1.2 million, was sourced from his own campaign as well as the Nassau County Republican Party. The state Republican Committee also holds around $465,000.
On the contrary, Hochul’s fundraising prowess remains a significant advantage for her. She has raised an impressive $4.5 million, bringing her total to $20 million available for her 2026 campaign, including funds accumulated over the last four years.
Additionally, $6.5 million went toward the New York State Democratic Committee, which supports Democratic candidates across the state. Currently, the committee’s total resources amount to $12 million.
The state’s most influential labor unions, notably the Hotel Trades Council and the New York State United Teachers Union, have each capped their contributions to Democratic committees at $139,000 for the year 2025, according to available records.
High-profile donors, such as media mogul Fred Eichner, RXR Realty’s Scott Rechler, shopping mall heiress Deborah Simon, Hess oil executive John Hess, and Suffolk Construction’s John Fish have also contributed significant amounts—over $100,000 each—to Hochul’s funding efforts.
According to Hochul’s campaign manager, Preston Elliott, this is more than just about funding; it’s about setting the stage for the governor’s re-election effort and electing Democratic leaders across the board to combat what they see as a threat from Trump’s policies.
Meanwhile, Blakeman has also gathered support from various affluent contributors, including the New York law firm Abrams Fensterman, real estate developer Broad Metro, and controversial Buffalo developer Carl Palladino, who donated amounts between $5,000 and $10,000.
In a pointed statement, Blakeman’s campaign spokeswoman, Madison Spanodemos, asserted that no amount of money can hide what she calls Hochul’s poor track record—including rising taxes, soaring utility bills, and policies that jeopardize public safety.
Adding to the intrigue, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who is pursuing the Democratic nomination against Hochul, has raised around $1.2 million for his ongoing campaign, which has put him in a position to access certain campaign funds.
