From Hamburg to the Capitol: Hochul's Shaky Case for Governor

Name: Kathy Hochul Office Sought: Governor of New York Age: 68 Political Party: Democrat Current Position: Governor Residence: Albany Opponent: Republican Bruce Blakeman Running Mate: Former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams

Over her 32 years in public office, Kathy Hochul's policies range from hard-core MAGA to Socialist.

As Erie County Clerk in Buffalo, Hochul opposed giving illegal immigrants drivers' licenses.

“I do not support the governor's plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants," said Hochul about then Governor Eliot Spitzer, according to a November 4th, 2007 New York Times article.

When running for Congress in 2012 Hochul earned an "A" rating from the NRA.

Her politics took a hard left turn when Andrew Cuomo picked Hochul to be his running mate on May 21st, 2014.

Hochul's very first Executive Order after becoming Governor was cementing New York State as a Sanctuary State.

Hochul entered elected office in 1994 on the Hamburg Town Board. She became Erie County Clerk in 2007 and won a 2011 special election to Congress in a traditionally Republican district. She lost reelection in 2012 to Chris Collins.

Hochul narrowly defeated Republican and William Floyd graduate Lee Zeldin in 2022, with a six-percentage point win.

Affordability remains a political vulnerability for Hochul, as Suffolk County families face high housing costs, property taxes and utility bills. Republicans point to "Green Scam mandates" like forcing school buses to be all electric and banning gas stoves in all new builds to how utility costs will continue to rise in New York State.

Public safety remains a flashpoint over New York's cashless bail law.

The Cuomo-era law restricted judges' ability to set bail for certain offenses. Hochul subsequently signed changes expanding judicial discretion, but critics argue dangerous defendants can still be released to commit additional crimes.

On immigration, Hochul banned local Sheriffs from cooperating with ICE, putting her at odds with Blakeman's proposals for expanded deportations and cooperation with federal law enforcement to deport illegal immigrants.

She also implemented New York City's congestion pricing program, charging many motorists entering Manhattan below 60th Street.

Regardless of policies and popularity of them, the numbers tell a simple story: Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 3.1 million registered voters in New York, giving Kathy Hochul a massive built-in advantage before a single vote is cast.