Gov. Kathy Hochul and gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman clashed over key policy issues in a debate on Oct. 13 where they discussed immigration enforcement, crime, utility prices and more.
The debate marked their first and only gubernatorial debate of the 2026 election cycle, giving both candidates the chance to defend their platforms and outline their policy priorities, less than three weeks before election day.
The candidates were first asked about the shooting of a Dominican immigrant by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Oct. 8 and whether they agreed with how ICE agents handled the situation.
Blakeman blamed the city’s sanctuary policies, which restrict local government agencies and law enforcement from cooperating with ICE agents, for letting in immigrants with criminal records into the state, causing these incidents with ICE.
“We got over 2,000 illegal migrants out of my county with criminal records ranging from rape, attempted murder, robbery, burglary, drug dealing, carjacking, gang activity. And that’s because we cooperated with ICE, and we didn’t raid one school, one hospital, one daycare center or one church,” Blakeman said.
Hochul rebutted his claims by criticizing ICE’s enforcement tactics and arguing that they have gone too far.
“That’s not how you conduct yourself. ICE is out of control. It’s out of control, and in Nassau County,” Hochul said.
The candidates also discussed affordability and energy costs throughout the state.
Hochul blamed President Donald Trump for getting in the way of her energy projects that she said will address the cost of utility bills and increasing gas prices for New Yorkers through the Iran War.
However, Blakeman blamed Hochul for the rising prices and bills.
“Donald Trump didn’t raise utility rates 48 times, you did. Donald Trump didn’t increase our utility bills by 50% since you’ve become governor,” Blakeman said.
During the cross-examination segment of the debate, Hochul asked Blakeman why he thought Trump was the “greatest president.” Blakeman acknowledged how he and Trump have differences in opinions on some policies, such as the fact that he believes in pro choice and Trump believes in pro life when it comes to abortion.
“In retrospect, I would say that Dwight D. Eisenhower was the greatest president, but Donald Trump has two more years, so, let’s see where it goes. Term’s not over,” Blakeman added.
The two were also asked about public safety and what solutions they have to combat high crime rates in New York City.
Blakeman criticized the state’s criminal justice reforms, arguing that these policies allow criminals to return to the streets and continue committing crimes.
“In Kathy Hochul’s world, you got to ring a buzzer, a store clerk has to come out, unlock a glass door for you to buy a bottle of shampoo in New York state,” he said. “It’s because we have a revolving door of criminality, cashless bail, raise the age, the whole deck.”
Hochul defended her policies by citing the ways in which her administration has addressed different forms of violence and theft.
“When I became governor, it was gun crime that was skyrocketing, so we tackled that. Retail theft— I gave millions of dollars to our district attorneys to change the laws and give them what they need to be able to reduce those crimes,” she said.
Blakeman was also asked about a report from The New York Times claiming that Blakeman told Hasidic Jewish leaders that Mayor Zohran Mamdani wouldn’t stop riots against them.
“If you wanna campaign with him, that’s fine. But I will tell you right now, I think Zohran Mamdani is an antisemite. I believe he’s anti Christian and I don’t think he has American values,” Blakeman responded.
Hochul didn’t directly defend Mamdani and instead defended New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the NYPD.
“I support the leadership of Jessica Tisch, but for you to say they would stand down is just insulting to all those men and women,” Hochul said.
New Yorkers will have the chance to vote for the next governor in the general election on Nov. 3, with early voting having taken place from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1.
