The day after the New York City Democratic Socialists of America Tax The Rich rally, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman touted his affordability agenda in contrast to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plans on Monday. He insisted that there is contrast, though both Hochul and Blakeman say they’re against raising taxes.
Blakeman held a press conference on the steps of New York City Hall with GOP attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy and comptroller candidate Joseph Hernandez. The three said that if they are elected into office, that would give them the power to address the state’s affordability crisis and stop a plan advanced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani to raise taxes. Mamdani has been pressuring Hochul to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and on corporations to fund the city’s budget gap. Barring that, he said property taxes were a last-resort option.
“We are here today to protect the taxpayers. We are here to make this state more affordable, and we are here to stand with all New Yorkers saying, ‘enough is enough,’ no more taxes,” Blakeman said.
Blakeman’s stance parallels that of Hochul, who led Blakeman by double digits in an early March Siena College poll. The governor has reiterated that she will not tax the rich despite Mamdani’s push for her to do so. Despite her opposition to Mamdani’s idea to raise taxes, Blakeman said he doubted that she will stand her ground, referencing her shift on Manhattan’s congestion pricing program. Hochul “paused” the program just weeks before it was supposed to begin in 2024, restarting it after the 2024 election.
“We don’t trust Kathy Hochul. Look what she did with congestion pricing. She said, we’re going to put a pause on congestion pricing. She endorses Mamdani. Mamdani endorses her. Next thing you know, we have congestion pricing.”
In response, Hochul’s campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki highlighted Blakeman’s ties to the president. “While Bruce Blakeman can’t stop touting Trump’s illegal tariffs that make everything from groceries to clothing more expensive, Governor Hochul has lowered costs for New Yorkers at every opportunity.”
Asked about Blakeman’s City Hall appearance Monday morning, Mamdani was dismissive. “We are talking about a man who espouses so much of what has diminished New Yorkers’ faith in politics across the city and across the state,” he said.
He pointed out ICE’s presence in Nassau County, where Blakeman is the county executive, and that his tax proposal wouldn’t impact the middle class, saying that is a mischaracterization.
“It’s not a surprise to me that he’s coming all the way to City Hall to talk about affordability, because we’re one of the only places that is taking affordability seriously. In Nassau County, his focus is on how to round up as many people as possible and send them as far away as he can,” Mamdani said.
