GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman dared rival Gov. Kathy Hochul to come to Long Island to debate — after her campaign sent her running mate on an “anti-Blakeman” press tour.
Former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — who is running as the Democratic pick for lieutenant governor — held a photo opp outside Blakeman’s office in Nassau County, kicking off the Hochul campaign’s so-called “The Cost of Blakeman” tour.
“Kathy Hochul didn’t have the courage to come here herself,” Blakeman, who now serves as Nassau County executive, told reporters inside the county legislative chambers after Adams’ attack.
“Next time, don’t send your surrogate. Come yourself. We’ll stand here, shoulder to shoulder, and let’s debate the issues that affect the people of this county and the state of New York,” he added.
Adams had earlier blasted Blakeman, an ally of President Trump, for his “100% MAGA agenda” as she accused him of putting public safety at risk.
“Blakeman has even promised to bring ‘Trump-style leadership’ to New York as governor — I don’t even like the way that sounds, it gives me the creeps,” Adams said.
Adams was joined by fellow Democrats, including state party Chair Jay Jacobs and local county legislators. They went after Blakeman for a controversial ICE partnership and a plan to deputize civilians
The also credited Nassau’s highly touted designation as “America’s safest suburb” to Blakeman’s Democratic predecessor, Laura Curran.
“Violent crime in Nassau County has spiked to some of the highest levels in a decade on his watch,” Jacobs told The Post, adding there is also a shortage of cops after over 200 took a recent buyout, referencing Nassau PD data.
But Blakeman had his own choice words for Hochul and went after her “abysmal” record — claiming she can come to the island any time to debate him.
He attacked Hochul for the sky-high utility bills burdening New Yorker and took a dig at her for blowing past the April 1 state budget deadline and she and her fellow Democrats who run the legislature have hit a standstill in policy negotations.
He became visibly agitated when he was asked by a reporter if he thought Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran were hurting the state’s affordability, linking Iran to the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and endorsing the military action against the country.
“If they’re willing to take out 3,000 New Yorkers in a terrorist attack, if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d want to take out 3 million — they have no respect for human life, and they hate America,” Blakeman said.