Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman Clash

What happened

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman faced off in the only scheduled debate of New York’s governor’s race. They clashed over a recent ICE shooting of a 28-year-old Dominican national; a 5-year-old in the vehicle was unharmed.

The debate came less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election in a close contest. One poll showed Hochul ahead 47% to 44% as Blakeman tried to close the gap.

Blakeman said Hochul’s sanctuary policies blocked ICE cooperation and endangered New Yorkers. Hochul said ICE agents acted recklessly by firing into a vehicle without knowing who was inside. Blakeman attacked Hochul on costs, while Hochul linked him to Trump. The debate was their last scheduled joint appearance.

How each side covered it

From the left

Only one left-leaning outlet we track covered this: Joe.My.God., under the headline “LIVE VIDEO: Hochul Versus Blakeman In Only Debate”.

From the right

Right-leaning outlets cast Blakeman as the stronger candidate and focused on Hochul’s record, public safety and costs. The New York Post said Hochul looked unprepared, leaned on Trump attacks, and faced Blakeman’s claims that her sanctuary policies put New Yorkers at risk.