The Times Union editorial board endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection Saturday, citing her budget and energy record and investment in Albany while questioning Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman’s health care and utility-cost promises.
The newspaper also endorsed the Democrat for a full term four years ago, after she became governor in August 2021. Its latest endorsement credited her with taking a moderate approach to economic, criminal justice and environmental issues while opposing President Donald Trump on immigration and other policies.
Budgets, energy and Albany
The board praised the budgets Hochul negotiated with Democratic legislative leaders as largely sound and said she had resisted tax increases while using the budget process to pursue targeted criminal justice changes.
It also supported her decision to sign legislation establishing New York’s first medical aid in dying program, citing her judgment and legal review.
The editorial described affordable energy and the state’s climate commitments as a major tension in her first full term. It backed her approach of promoting non-fossil energy sources, including expanded nuclear generation, while delaying some compliance deadlines under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The board also credited Hochul’s support for Albany, including the planned demolition of Central Warehouse and $400 million in targeted improvements, particularly downtown. It favored a series of smaller projects over a single large development and argued that her departure could jeopardize those plans.
Criticism of Hochul’s administration
The endorsement also criticized the transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program to a single fiscal intermediary, development of the state’s cannabis market and Hochul’s rejection of transparency measures.
It faulted her for retaining State Police and corrections leaders. The board said New Yorkers were still awaiting state inspector general findings about alleged ethical misconduct by senior State Police leaders at the 2025 Ryder Cup.
The editorial criticized Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III’s continued tenure after at least two men were beaten to death by state employees. It cited a federal judge’s conclusion that there was abundant evidence Martuscello knew about prison brutality and had failed to take sufficient action, and said that civil action ended in a $24 million settlement.
Medicaid, utility bills and Trump
The board questioned Blakeman’s promises to reduce spending and utility costs, as well as his record as Nassau County executive. It said conservative analysts had criticized both his campaign proposals and his county fiscal record.
The editorial cited a Fox Business interview in which Blakeman said he wanted to “cut Medicaid in half,” questioning how he would do that in a state program of roughly $120 billion. It also noted that he subsequently denied making the remark.
It questioned his pledge to cut utility bills in half, in part by allowing hydrofracking for natural gas.
The board criticized his positions on undocumented immigrants and reluctance to challenge Trump. It argued that Trump’s support for Blakeman, alongside his reluctance to back U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s gubernatorial bid, had helped put Blakeman atop the Republican ticket.
The editorial questioned how Blakeman would advance his proposals through a Legislature it expects to remain controlled by Democrats.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
