# Bruce Blakeman New York gubernatorial campaign > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bruce-blakeman-new-york-gubernatorial-campaign > Updated: 2026-07-28T17:30:30.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 5. Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman continues his challenge to incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. A July 6 poll showed Hochul leading by six points (47 % to 41 % among likely voters) with 12 % undecided, narrowing a double‑digit gap reported a month earlier. Both candidates have exchanged sharp barbs: Hochul dismissed a Blakeman mailer that blamed her and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for rising taxes, while Blakeman likened Hochul to Disney’s Cruella de Vil. Blakeman’s rhetoric escalated on July 12 when he described Manhattan as a “third‑world country,” citing visible homelessness, litter and recent shootings, and blamed Mayor Mamdani for halting police hires and for a homeless encampment near the Intrepid Museum. He announced plans to invoke the state Constitution’s “Gift and Loan Clause” to block Mamdani’s $70 million proposal for city‑owned supermarkets, arguing it would illegally subsidise private operators and hurt independent grocers. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman‑Segal and Gristedes CEO John Catsimatidis challenged the legal basis of the move. Hochul, who supports the supermarket plan, reiterated her preference for free‑enterprise solutions. Financial disparities persist: Hochul’s campaign holds about $20 million, Blakeman roughly $1.4 million, with potential public matching funds of up to $4 million and a new super‑PAC formed to leverage unlimited donations. A poll commissioned by the pro‑Blakeman "Strong and Safe" super‑PAC surveyed 2,000 registered voters July 7‑12 and found Hochul leading 47 % to 43 %, with 10 % undecided, confirming a slim four‑point advantage despite Blakeman’s low statewide name recognition. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-28: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Holds Slim 4‑Point Lead Over Bruce Blakeman in New Poll A pro‑Blakeman poll shows Gov. Kathy Hochul leading Bruce Blakeman 47%‑43% with 10% undecided, highlighting low approval for Hochul and strong anti‑incumbent sentiment in New York. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-gov-kathy-hochul-holds-slim-4point-lead-over-bruce-blakeman-in-new-poll ### 2026-07-12: Bruce Blakeman attacks NYC policies ahead of New York governor race Bruce Blakeman labeled Manhattan a “third‑world country” and vowed to use the New York Constitution’s Gift and Loan Clause to block the mayor’s $70 million city‑run supermarket plan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bruce-blakeman-attacks-nyc-policies-ahead-of-new-york-governor-race ### 2026-07-06: New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican Bruce Blakeman trade barbs as poll narrows race Poll shows New York Governor Kathy Hochul ahead of Republican Bruce Blakeman by six points as the two trade attacks and highlight a stark fundraising gap in the tightening gubernatorial race. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-governor-kathy-hochul-and-republican-bruce-blakeman-trade-barbs-as-poll-narrows-race ### 2026-06-24: Bruce Blakeman Promises Tax Cuts and Faces Controversy in New York Governor Race Bruce Blakeman, GOP challenger to Gov. Kathy Hochul, vows tax cuts and utility reforms while drawing criticism for inflammatory remarks about NY councilman Brad Lander. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bruce-blakeman-promises-tax-cuts-and-faces-controversy-in-new-york-governor-race ### 2026-05-25: Bruce Blakeman Secures Puerto Rico Governor's Endorsement in New York Gubernatorial Race Puerto Rico Governor Jennifer González‑Colón endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman over incumbent Kathy Hochul in the New York governor race, meeting also with crypto donor Brock Pierce. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bruce-blakeman-secures-puerto-rico-governors-endorsement-in-new-york-gubernatorial-race --- Cite as: Bruce Blakeman New York gubernatorial campaign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bruce-blakeman-new-york-gubernatorial-campaign