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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman launched a sharp critique of Governor Kathy Hochul during the Conservative Party Political Action Conference in Albany on Monday, focusing primarily on energy costs and public safety.
"New Yorkers need a governor that will make them happy again," Blakeman said during his address at the Hilton Albany. "That means more money in their pockets and cheaper energy costs, so they can provide things for their family, not just live paycheck to paycheck."
The Republican gubernatorial hopeful has emerged as the GOP frontrunner after Congresswoman Elise Stefanik dropped out of the race in December. Blakeman criticized Hochul's energy policies, claiming they have led to higher utility costs for New Yorkers.
"Energy costs have been rising; you've been imposing these taxes, these delivery charges, these subsidies that are just choking the ratepayers in New York City," Blakeman said, also expressing skepticism about Hochul's nuclear energy proposals.
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay joined Blakeman at the podium, blaming Democrats for narrowing the energy supply through policies like the closure of the Indian Point nuclear power station and bans on fracking.
Despite his criticism of Hochul's energy restrictions, Blakeman also stated his opposition to offshore wind projects off Long Island, a position aligned with President Donald Trump.
On immigration, Blakeman defended his support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in New York while acknowledging there should be limits on enforcement locations. He referred to Hochul as "the most pro-criminal governor in the United States of America."
This aggressive stance on ICE might prove challenging for Blakeman's campaign, as recent polling from Siena University shows 67% of New York voters hold an unfavorable opinion of the federal agency.
The same poll revealed Hochul entering her reelection year with record-high favorability at 49%, compared to 40% unfavorable. She currently leads Blakeman by a substantial margin, with 54% of voters backing her versus 28% supporting him.
Blakeman remains largely unknown to many voters, with 62% of respondents—including 53% of Republicans—saying they either didn't know who he was or had no opinion of him.
On abortion, Blakeman breaks with many conservatives by taking a pro-choice stance. He stated there would be no "litmus test" on abortion should Republicans win the governor's office.
"There will be people that will be pro-choice; there will be people that will be pro-life," Blakeman said. "I completely respect that position. I think what we need to do is talk about not where we disagree, but where we can agree."
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