Kathy Hochul Takes Aim at Trump, Blakeman in NY Democratic Convention
Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off her re-election campaign last week, vowing to push back against President Donald Trump's policies and continue initiatives enacted during her tenure. The Democratic governor touted the benefits of expanding child tax credits, banning cellphones in schools, and restricting federal immigration enforcement.
Hochul received widespread support from delegates, including several standing ovations, after a 20-plus minute speech outlining her vision for New York. Her running mate, Adrienne Adams, was also lauded by convention attendees.
However, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's challenge to Hochul's nomination was unsuccessful, with the progressive receiving only 14.7% of the weighted votes. Despite this, Delgado vowed to continue circulating nominating petitions and has named India Walton as his running mate.
The Buffalo-born governor rolled out a slew of high-profile endorsements in the days leading up to the convention, including local party leaders, state Senate and Assembly members, labor unions, and even progressive Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tom Suozzi.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Hochul despite having previously clashed with her over taxation issues. The mayor acknowledged they had "real differences," but continued to support the governor's stance on income inequality.
In a surprise turn of events, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Letitia James were renominated without opposition. Republicans will hold their convention next week on Long Island, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emerging as the party's nominee after Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out.
Blakeman has taken aim at Hochul, suggesting her endorsement of Mamdani is a sign of a "secret deal" to increase taxes. Hochul downplayed Delgado's challenge while speaking with reporters, saying she had found a running mate who understands that the election is not about personal egos.
As for Blakeman, he attacked Hochul's proposal to restrict cooperation with ICE, saying it has led to the deportation of criminals. The governor fired back, stating that winning seats in Congress was crucial to the party's success in New York and warning her opponents: "You donβt want to mess with the bad-ass women of New York."
Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off her re-election campaign last week, vowing to push back against President Donald Trump's policies and continue initiatives enacted during her tenure. The Democratic governor touted the benefits of expanding child tax credits, banning cellphones in schools, and restricting federal immigration enforcement.
Hochul received widespread support from delegates, including several standing ovations, after a 20-plus minute speech outlining her vision for New York. Her running mate, Adrienne Adams, was also lauded by convention attendees.
However, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's challenge to Hochul's nomination was unsuccessful, with the progressive receiving only 14.7% of the weighted votes. Despite this, Delgado vowed to continue circulating nominating petitions and has named India Walton as his running mate.
The Buffalo-born governor rolled out a slew of high-profile endorsements in the days leading up to the convention, including local party leaders, state Senate and Assembly members, labor unions, and even progressive Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tom Suozzi.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Hochul despite having previously clashed with her over taxation issues. The mayor acknowledged they had "real differences," but continued to support the governor's stance on income inequality.
In a surprise turn of events, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Letitia James were renominated without opposition. Republicans will hold their convention next week on Long Island, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emerging as the party's nominee after Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out.
Blakeman has taken aim at Hochul, suggesting her endorsement of Mamdani is a sign of a "secret deal" to increase taxes. Hochul downplayed Delgado's challenge while speaking with reporters, saying she had found a running mate who understands that the election is not about personal egos.
As for Blakeman, he attacked Hochul's proposal to restrict cooperation with ICE, saying it has led to the deportation of criminals. The governor fired back, stating that winning seats in Congress was crucial to the party's success in New York and warning her opponents: "You donβt want to mess with the bad-ass women of New York."