Republican Bruce Blakeman made the rounds in three sections of New York City on Saturday, pushing his affordability message as the gubernatorial race nears its end. Along the way, he took shots at his rival, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and labeled Mayor Zohran Mamdani as “anti-American.”
His first stop was at the Staten Island Republican Party headquarters in New Dorp, where he was welcomed by supporters. Then he made the trek across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to visit the Brooklyn GOP office in Dyker Heights.
While in Brooklyn, Blakeman promised to revoke NYC’s sanctuary city status and emphasized plans to increase financial relief for New Yorkers by lowering taxes.
He asserted that he is the best candidate to protect New Yorkers from what he described as Mamdani’s “communist” dominance, branding the mayor as “antisemite,” “anti-Christian,” and “anti-American.”
Blakeman also noted the short duration of the socialist mayor’s campaign appearance in Brooklyn with Hochul, implying it related to her popularity—or lack thereof.
“They were only here for 15 minutes. Even Zohran Mamdani can’t stand to be with her for more than 15 minutes,” he remarked jokingly.
As the general election approaches on Nov. 3, a Quinnipiac University poll from Wednesday shows Hochul maintaining a 14-point lead over Blakeman.
Attendees at the rally included U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis and Republican comptroller candidate Joseph Hernandez.
“Let’s deliver this victory for the United States of America,” Malliotakis urged, as she looks to be re-elected against Democrat Mike DeCillis.
“We will never allow a socialist takeover of our state or our country! As Frank Sinatra said, ‘It’s up to you, New York.’ So let’s do this.”
Later on, Blakeman was set to continue his campaign in Queens with a rally outside the Flushing Public Library.
