Blakeman mailers link Gov. Hochul to NYC Mayor Mamdani, accuse them of pushing 'socialist' policies

# What the mailers say

Republican Bruce Blakeman's campaign has circulated direct-mail pieces in suburban counties outside New York City that link Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The mailer's headline message: "Say No to Socialism. Say No to Hochul and Mamdani." It urges suburban voters to view the governor as implementing a city leader's policy priorities at the state level.

The mailer accuses Hochul of spending nearly $5 billion of state taxpayer money on migrants and backing what it calls "Mamdani's socialist wish list." It lists rising household expenses — property taxes, electricity, insurance premiums and gas — as trends the mailer attributes to Hochul implementing policies associated with Mamdani. Visuals show images of Hochul and Mamdani behind a worried couple examining bills.

# Specific policies cited

The mailer references concrete actions that connect the state and the new city administration: state support to help close New York City's multi-billion dollar budget shortfall and state aid connected to city measures. It singles out two city policies where state money or cooperation played a role:

• A new pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes.
• State aid that helped launch Mamdani's universal child care program for 2-year-olds.

City initiatives over suburban household finances.

# Campaign responses and context

Hochul's campaign spokesman, Ryan Radulovacki, pushed back, calling Blakeman's claims false. He pointed to policy differences between the candidates and emphasized the governor's efforts to provide economic relief, including tariff relief for farmers, a temporary moratorium on new data center approvals to limit utility bill increases, and energy rebate checks for households.

The postcard attack comes as both campaigns have amplified their messaging: the Hochul team has spent millions on TV ads tying Blakeman to former President Donald Trump, while Blakeman has highlighted opposition to Hochul's policies and defended Trump's positions. The mailers are part of a broader, high-intensity fall campaign across the governor's race.

# Broader campaign controversies and environment

This is one tactic among several aggressive moves in the race. Other recent items tied to Blakeman's campaign include allegations that his team sent official-looking tax-assessment memos to voters, prompting accusations the mailings resembled fake government documents. Blakeman has also attracted scrutiny for endorsements and statements by associates that drew criticism.

Polls released in mid-September showed Hochul leading Blakeman in statewide surveys, though margins vary by poll. The campaigns are jockeying over messages that play differently in New York City versus suburban and upstate districts, with immigration, taxes, utility costs and crime emerging as major voter concerns.

# Why this matters for suburban voters

The mailer's strategy is straightforward: link a statewide incumbent to a polarizing new city mayor and frame state actions as transfers of resources that have negative consequences for suburban households. For voters in counties like Westchester and Nassau, the arguments aim to convert local economic frustration into a vote against the governor.

If you live in suburban New York, watch for how each campaign documents the financial claims — for example, which state expenditures or budget items are being counted — and how both campaigns propose to address bills for energy, property and insurance.

# Bottom line

Blakeman's mailers tie Hochul to Mayor Mamdani and portray state support for city programs and taxes as proof of a shared agenda that raises costs for suburban residents. Hochul's campaign rejects those assertions and points to its own economic-relief steps. The exchange fits into a broader, heated gubernatorial race with heavy ad spending and contested messaging on costs and public-safety issues.