Trump Calls Hochul ‘the Worst Governor in the History of New York State’ in Election-Eve Push for Blakeman

President Donald Trump urged New Yorkers on Saturday to elect Republican Bruce Blakeman governor, telling a tele-rally that the Nassau County executive can save the state from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s “failed and incompetent” leadership.

“Kathy Hochul may be the worst governor in the history of New York State and one of the worst in the nation,” Trump said. “She been a disaster, and I can tell you that Bruce has been a friend of mine for a long time.”

The call also promoted two other Republicans on Tuesday’s ballot: attorney general nominee Saritha Komatireddy, who is challenging Attorney General Letitia James, and Anthony Constantino, who is running for retiring Rep. Elise Stefanik’s open seat in the North Country.

Trump pitched Blakeman as a proven manager, pointing to Nassau County’s safety ranking. “Anybody that can do what he did in politics and get resounding results, and not only that, he has the safest county in the United States of America,” he said, referring to a U.S. News & World Report ranking. “He’s a great manager.”

The president also signaled that Albany’s relationship with Washington would change under a Republican governor. “I’ll be waiting for his call,” Trump said. “I bet he’s going to be one of the first calls if he wins, and he’ll get tremendous help from the federal government. And it’s hard to help people that do such a bad job. It’s almost like throwing good money after bad.”

Hochul’s campaign answered by tying Blakeman to the president, a theme the governor has pressed throughout the race. Spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki said Blakeman “started with the promise to ‘bring Trump-style leadership to Albany,’ and his closing message is telling people how little he regrets going full Trump in this campaign.”

Radulovacki said Hochul “has put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, invested $4 billion in public safety, and fought back against Trump’s attacks,” while Blakeman “defends everything Trump does.”

Trump predicted a Blakeman win despite recent public polls showing Hochul ahead by 11 to 14 points. The latest Siena poll had her leading 54% to 40% among likely voters.

The call renewed an endorsement Trump made official at a rally in Syracuse weeks ago. Republicans kept up the push Monday, when Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. joined Constantino in Rome for an election-eve rally.

Election Day is Nov. 3.