2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Kathy Hochul currently holds this seat
High confidenceHigh confidenceBacked by government records or the candidate's own official statements, with agreement across several independent sources.What would raise it: Nothing missing — this is the strongest evidence tier.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Public safety through stronger gun laws — her campaign cites more than 10,000 illegal guns taken off New York streets and nearly $4 billion in public safety spending.
Health care affordability, including state bans on insulin and asthma inhaler copays.
Education: state investments in public schools and free school meals for children statewide.
Affordability measures for New York households.
New state laws restricting local police cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and enforcing them — she has warned local leaders there will be 'consequences if you do not' follow state law.
Restrictions on carrying guns in schools and houses of worship.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Governor of New York since August 2021, when she succeeded Andrew Cuomo; elected to a full term in 2022.
Lieutenant governor of New York 2015-2021; U.S. Representative 2011-2013; Erie County clerk before that.
Signed New York's post-Bruen concealed carry restrictions, including limits on carrying in schools and houses of worship.
Signed state bans on insulin and asthma inhaler copays and expanded free school meals statewide.
Signed the 2026 laws restricting local police cooperation with ICE.
Was unopposed in the June 23 2026 Democratic primary.
Received the Working Families Party ballot line in August 2026, after that party declined to nominate her in February.
Arguments in favor
Her record is concrete on costs and health: bans on insulin and asthma inhaler copays, free school meals statewide, and billions in school investment.
— Hochul for Governor campaign
She has taken more than 10,000 illegal guns off New York streets and put nearly $4 billion into public safety, while keeping gun restrictions in schools and houses of worship her opponent opposes.
— Hochul for Governor campaign
Her opponent has 'made crystal clear where he stands: with Donald Trump, far-right election deniers, rogue ICE agents, and anti-gun safety extremists,' and New Yorkers want 'a governor who'll actually fight to keep them safe.'
— Hochul campaign spokesman
Arguments against
'While the hardworking men and women of this state are struggling to make ends meet, Kathy Hochul is taking your money and spending it on illegal migrants who have been here for 15 minutes and haven't earned anything. That is wrong.'
— Bruce Blakeman, Republican and Conservative nominee
'Kathy Hochul has put our state in crisis' — her administration has driven up taxes and energy costs while failing to curb crime, and she has defended bail changes and the Raise the Age law.
— Bruce Blakeman, in his February 2026 nomination acceptance speech
'She's completely controlled by Mamdani, and he's running the Democratic Party now.'
— Bruce Blakeman, Republican and Conservative nominee
What we couldn’t verify
Her official campaign website could not be verified, so no URL is listed.
Her specific second-term affordability agenda beyond the record she is running on.
Her campaign finance totals were not located.
Whether the Working Families line will clear the 2% threshold it needs to stay ballot qualified.
Lower taxes: a 100-day plan built on reducing the tax burden, lowering utility rates and increasing law enforcement funding; he opposes tax increases and says corporate tax rises would drive businesses out of New York.
Public safety: he has criticised New York's bail changes and the Raise the Age law, and as county executive hired 600 new police and law enforcement officers.
Cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and opposition to the state laws restricting it.
Redirecting money spent on housing and services for migrants toward schools, infrastructure and tax relief.
Limiting government public health mandates; he opposed county enforcement of state mask and vaccine mandates.
He describes himself as a pro-choice Republican and says abortion decisions should be made by a woman and her physician, particularly in early pregnancy.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Nassau County executive since January 2022.
Previously presiding officer of the Nassau County legislature and a Hempstead town councilman.
Hired 600 new police and law enforcement officers as county executive.
Created the volunteer Provisional Emergency Special Deputy Program in 2024, recruiting civilians with pistol licences; Democrats sued, alleging some members are unqualified, that some have troubling histories, and that the programme lacks effective oversight.
Opposed county enforcement of state mask and vaccine mandates.
Was unopposed in the June 23 2026 Republican primary and holds the Conservative Party line; endorsed by President Trump after Elise Stefanik withdrew in December 2025.
Has campaigned with President Trump.
Arguments in favor
His 100-day plan is specific — cut the tax burden, lower utility rates, fund law enforcement — and he has a county record of holding budgets without raising property taxes.
— Blakeman for Governor campaign
He hired 600 new police and law enforcement officers in Nassau County, and would apply the same approach statewide against bail changes and the Raise the Age law.
— Blakeman for Governor campaign
He is a pro-choice Republican who says abortion decisions belong to a woman and her physician, which his campaign presents as evidence he can win crossover votes in a blue state.
— Blakeman for Governor campaign, as reported by the Washington Examiner
Arguments against
His volunteer armed deputy programme is an 'armed MAGA militia' — Democrats have sued over it, saying some members are unqualified or have troubling histories and that he has shrouded it in secrecy that prevents oversight.
— Hochul for Governor campaign, in an August 2026 attack ad, and Nassau County Democrats in their lawsuit
He promotes cooperation with ICE, supports Medicaid cuts, and opposes restrictions on carrying guns in schools and houses of worship.
— Hochul for Governor campaign
He has said he would remain loyal to Donald Trump, who has never carried New York.
— Hochul for Governor campaign, citing his own past comments
What we couldn’t verify
The status and outcome of the Democratic lawsuit over the Provisional Emergency Special Deputy Program.
How he would reconcile cooperation with ICE against the state laws now restricting it.
His campaign finance totals were not located.
How the tax and utility rate cuts in his 100-day plan would be paid for.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul is seeking a second full term. Roster established from Wikipedia's race page, Ballotpedia, NBC News, Ballot Access News, City & State New York, Gothamist and CBS New York, cross-checked. Neither major party had a contested June 23 2026 primary: Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman ran unopposed. Republican Representative Elise Stefanik ended her campaign in December 2025, after which President Trump endorsed Blakeman. New York uses fusion voting, so the same candidate can appear on more than one party line: Hochul is on the Democratic and Working Families lines, Blakeman on the Republican and Conservative lines. The Working Families Party had declined to nominate Hochul in February 2026 before giving her its line in August; it needs at least 2% of the gubernatorial vote on its own line to keep ballot qualification. New York elects governor and lieutenant governor as a joint ticket in November: Hochul runs with Adrienne Adams, Blakeman with Todd Hood.
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