New York Democrats brought a statewide campaign against Bruce Blakeman to Ithaca on Friday, where Rep. Josh Riley, Mayor Robert Cantelmo and a local business owner argued that Blakeman's agenda would raise costs for upstate residents.
The event was part of the state Democratic Party's "Cost of Bruce Blakeman" tour and focused on tariffs, housing, child care and other economic issues.
Riley said the economy has been working against upstate New Yorkers and argued that policies supported by Blakeman would make conditions worse. He contrasted Blakeman's positions with Gov. Kathy Hochul's work on housing, child care and data centers.
Cantelmo said New York needs policies that help residents afford daily life and criticized Blakeman's child care approach. The mayor also pointed to state investments in Ithaca under Hochul.
Scott Dolphin, identified by the party as a local small business owner, said tariffs have sharply increased his wholesale costs, in some cases doubling them. He argued that small businesses are bearing the cost of policies backed by Blakeman and other Republicans.
The event and statements were detailed in a release paid for by the New York State Democratic Committee. The release did not include a response from Blakeman.
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