Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman accused Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul of being the most pro-criminal governor in the United States during a Monday campaign event aboard the New York City subway system. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive and former commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, directed criticism at both Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over rising violence and commuter safety concerns in the city.
Riding the train, Blakeman stated that he had heard no reports of improved safety on the subways or public transportation, noting that commuters generally feel less secure. He argued that the administration is not committed to public safety and pledged to make public transportation safer and cleaner for travelers. Blakeman specifically targeted the reduction of conductors on trains and subways under Hochul's tenure, asserting that police presence is important but that passengers feel comfortable seeing a conductor.
The campaign stop occurred in a densely populated area described as an overwhelming Democratic stronghold. Blakeman outlined a priority list that includes hiring more police officers and conductors, cleaning subways, improving lighting in dimly lit systems, and providing assistance for individuals with emotional illnesses. He contrasted these measures with congestion pricing, which he characterized as a tax on the middle class rather than a solution for bringing people back to public transit.
The candidate’s remarks followed Hochul’s veto of state legislation passed in June 2025 that would have required at least two-person crews, consisting of an operator and a conductor, on subway trains. Hochul vetoed the bill on December 5, 2025, arguing that it would restrict MTA modernization efforts and cost up to $10 million annually. By vetoing the measure, she kept the MTA’s one-person train operation program in place. Blakeman cited this decision as evidence of a lack of commitment to safety.
Blakeman also challenged several Democrat-backed policies he believes have made New York less safe. He listed cashless bail, Raise the Age, the HALT Act, and Clean Slate legislation, along with a refusal to cooperate with ICE and federal agents. Cashless bail limits when judges can require defendants to post money for release. Raise the Age generally keeps 16- and 17-year-olds out of adult criminal court. The HALT Act limits solitary confinement and alters prison disciplinary practices, while the Clean Slate law seals certain criminal convictions from public view after a designated waiting period. Blakeman concluded by stating that people feel less safe in every community he visits in New York State.