Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is targeting disaffected Democrats in the Bronx, betting that frustration over affordability and crime will drive traditionally Democratic voters to his side. The strategy relies on the premise that Governor Kathy Hochul has alienated moderate constituents by aligning with the party's progressive wing.
Stephen Kaufman, a former Democratic Bronx Assemblyman, delivered sharp criticism of the current Democratic leadership while rallying alongside Blakeman at the Crosstown Diner in the Bronx. Kaufman told Fox News Digital that the party no longer represents its traditional base, stating, "They're not Democrats. They're socialists and communists." He accused the Democratic Socialists of America of gaining increasing influence, warning that Democrats are "rapidly becoming a house of hatred" that no longer welcomes moderate voices. Kaufman claimed Hochul has embraced the further left of her party and is "totally controlled by them."
Blakeman told Fox News Digital that he frequently encounters lifelong Democrats who are breaking from their party to support his campaign. He said that during his outreach, voters identify themselves as lifelong Democrats who have never voted Republican, yet they state they are now voting for him. Several Bronx voters spoke with Fox News Digital echoed these sentiments, citing rising costs and public safety concerns as reasons for their political defection. One resident of the Throggs Neck neighborhood said, "It's not your Democratic Party anymore... It's become the Democratic Socialist, a.k.a. Communist Party." Another man noted that local socialists had criticized homeowners for land hoarding, claiming Hochul did not defend them.
A registered Democrat told Fox News Digital that the party's failure to address working-class needs was driving his voting behavior. "I vote to what affects me, my community, the people I live with," he said. "I vote who's going to help the middle class."
Blakeman argued that Hochul's record provides evidence of her failure to manage state affairs effectively. He claimed she has raised taxes and increased utility rates 48 times, adding that policies like cashless bail make it easier for criminals to operate. "So now I have the evidences. I have her report card and it's straight F's," Blakeman said. Kaufman separately stated that electricity rates have skyrocketed due to 42 increases and the closure of utility plants.
In contrast to Hochul's approach, Blakeman pledged to cut taxes and utility bills while improving community safety. He pointed to his record as Nassau County executive, stating he has not raised taxes in five years and has cut them by $150 million. "I'll take my record, compare it to hers," Blakeman said.
The context for this political shift includes the rise of democratic socialists in New York politics. Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City, and DSA-backed candidates defeated Democratic incumbents in congressional primaries. Similar victories occurred in Colorado, where Melat Kiros defeated Rep. Diana DeGette, and in Washington, D.C., where Janeese Lewis George captured the Democratic mayoral nomination. Fox News Digital reached out to Hochul's office for comment.