Kudlow Says Blakeman’s Victory Over Hochul Could Undermine Mamdani’s Political Leverage

The significance of the Bruce Blakeman versus Kathy Hochul gubernatorial contest lies in its potential to unseat a left‑leaning governor and also remove New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, from office.

In other words, a victory for Mr. Blakeman would curb the policies that critics argue fuel antisemitism, progressive cultural trends, excessive taxation—including the pied‑à‑terre tax—and other measures promoted by Mr. Mamdani and his Democratic Socialist allies, which they claim harm the city and the nation. This makes the race pivotal. Observing the recent Blakeman‑Hochul debate, I noted that the Nassau County executive consistently outperformed Governor Hochul.

While President Trump was the opponent for Mrs. Hochul, Mr. Blakeman faced both Mrs. Hochul and Mr. Mamdani. He remarked that the discourse centered on Donald Trump because, in his view, the state’s record was one of failure and hardship for its residents. Mrs. Hochul responded that she did not associate herself with Trump as he did. Mr. Blakeman retorted that she instead aligned herself with Zohran Mamdani.

Mr. Blakeman repeatedly criticized high taxes, rising utility costs, and Governor Hochul’s proposal to restrict AI data centers, warning that such restrictions could cede the AI competition to China. He also accused her of repeatedly promising large tax and spending increases and of engaging in state corruption.

I commend Mr. Blakeman for advocating the development of natural gas drilling and pipelines in the Marcellus Shale region, a strategy he says has reduced utility costs in Pennsylvania and raised them in New York. He has consistently maintained this position.

At one point, Governor Hochul suggested that Blakeman wanted to drill oil wells everywhere, a comment Blakeman found absurd. He also criticized New York’s sanctuary state and city policies, arguing that they contribute to increased crime and stem from the administration’s lenient immigration stance.

Mr. Blakeman highlighted two major criticisms of Governor Hochul. First, he noted her inaction regarding sexual misconduct allegations at Cornell University, despite her role as a trustee.

He said, ‘Kathy, where were you? What actions did you take? As a Cornell trustee and the state governor, you provide $150 million annually to the university, yet you failed to demand an independent investigation when the district attorney dismissed the case.’

Later in the debate, Mr. Blakeman strongly criticized Mr. Mamdani, labeling him an antisemite. He pointed out that Mamdani’s first act as mayor was to sign an executive order that diluted the definition of antisemitism, and he condemned the mayor for campaigning with someone he described as opposed to American values.

Mr. Blakeman asserted that he believes Zohran Mamdani is antisemitic, anti‑Christian, and lacks American values. While poll results may shift, he currently believes this stance benefits his campaign.

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