Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman called Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul a “puppet” of Zohran Mamdani during a Sunday campaign rally in Yorktown Heights, New York, Fox News reported.
The rally claim
Fox News said Blakeman, who serves as Nassau County executive, accused Hochul of embracing Mamdani’s agenda while failing to crack down on illegal immigration and crime. Citing the New York Post for his onstage remarks, Fox News quoted Blakeman as saying, “Kathy Hochul, she was out campaigning with Mamdani this week … Please take him everywhere you go, Kathy, because I want to remind people that this un-American, antisemite, anti-Christian mayor is running the Democratic Party and Kathy Hochul is nothing more than his puppet.” Those characterizations are Blakeman’s allegations.
Why Mamdani is in the frame
According to Fox News, Hochul has campaigned alongside Mamdani, including at a Brooklyn rally. Fox News also described Mamdani as New York City’s mayor and said he won last year’s mayoral election; the outlet further reported that candidates aligned with Mamdani and New York’s democratic socialist movement defeated two Democratic incumbents in congressional primaries this year.
What each side says
Fox News reported that Hochul and Blakeman sparred over her support for Mamdani during a debate last week. Earlier this month, during a campaign stop on the city’s subway system, Blakeman called Hochul “the most pro-criminal governor,” Fox News said. Fox News also reported that Mamdani has criticized Blakeman, accusing the Republican of “bigotry and racism” following a debate.
