Politics & Government Active Updated Aug 21, 2026
The governor's race
Gov. Hochul is seeking reelection against Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has built his campaign around New York's sanctuary law and crime, with President Trump's active backing. The race has tightened sharply, testing whether Trump's endorsement and crime messaging can flip a blue state's governorship in November.
The story so far
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Aug 21, 2026 Latest
Gov. Hochul launched her first television ads of the campaign cycle, touting free school meals and leaning into an affordability message against Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.
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Aug 15, 2026
President Trump rallied with Bruce Blakeman at the Nassau County police academy, touting a 9.3% national drop in violent crime in 2025 and calling New York's sanctuary law seditious. A new Siena poll showed Gov. Hochul leading Blakeman 49% to 39%, down from a 20-point margin in June.
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