Blakeman targets Queens’ Roosevelt Avenue, blaming Hochul and Mamdani for conditions

Republican Bruce Blakeman vowed Wednesday to clean up Queens’ Roosevelt Avenue if elected governor, putting the blame on Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The New York Post reported the Nassau County executive called Hochul “responsible” for conditions on the corridor, which the paper dubbed the “Market of Sweethearts.” Blakeman also said Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made a cleanup harder by holding cops back and leaving vital posts unfilled.

Blakeman toured stores near 90th Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, where he criticized the state’s approach to crime and its toll on small businesses. He said shoplifting carries no consequences and keeps getting worse. Hochul was less than three miles away in Maspeth, demonstrating a new subway gate meant to curb fare evasion.

Crime and quality of life sit alongside affordability and immigration at the center of Blakeman’s campaign, and the race has tightened.

Siena, September: Hochul 50%, Blakeman 41%
Four years ago: Hochul led Lee Zeldin 54-37, then won by 6

Siena’s September survey put the gap at 9 points, and Siena’s pollster noted that Blakeman is doing better with Republicans, 88% to 8%, than Hochul is with Democrats, 81% to 11%. ABC7 reported the poll also has Blakeman ahead among independents by 7 points. Hochul acknowledged that a narrow lead in a purple state is concerning, while a double-digit lead means something.

Earlier this week Blakeman appeared with Rep. Mike Lawler, a one-time rival for the nomination, to slam Hochul and Democrats as soft on immigration enforcement. A pro-Blakeman super PAC is also spending $750,000 a week on ads accusing Hochul of pay-to-play over a $637 million Covid test contract, and Hochul’s campaign dismissed the ad as baseless.

Blakeman said he is counting on independents and Democrats crossing party lines, and that lifelong Democrats approach him daily. Actress Debra Messing, who campaigned for Democrats in the past, endorsed him this week, citing affordability, congestion pricing and rising utility costs.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Hochul’s campaign had not responded to the Roosevelt Avenue pledge.