NY Governor Race Heats Up: Blakeman & Hochul Campaigns Swell with Millions

The New York gubernatorial race, featuring Republican Bruce Blakeman and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, is increasingly shaped by substantial financial contributions from outside groups, particularly super political action committees (PACs). These entities are actively raising millions to influence the statewide election, despite being legally barred from formal coordination with the candidates they support. Experts, like Columbia Law School professor Richard Briffault, note that super PACs are playing an ever-larger role in elections, effectively navigating rules designed to prevent direct campaign collaboration by finding ways to cooperate without triggering formal prohibitions.

On the Republican side, at least four outside groups, including three super PACs, are lining up to support Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive. One such group, 'Make it Cheaper,' which shares personnel with an independent expenditure committee that previously aided Hochul's 2022 challenger, Lee Zeldin, has indicated its intent to support Blakeman. However, its financial activities will not be public until closer to the election. Another significant contributor is 'Strong and Safe New York,' which received $1 million in July from three entities linked to New York Knicks and Rangers owner James L. Dolan: Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., and the Coalition to Restore New York. The Dolan family has also collectively contributed $970,200 to the Nassau County Republican Committee, which has subsequently transferred over $2 million to Blakeman's campaign this year. Additionally, the Transport Workers Union of America established 'Transport Workers Union VOICE,' a super PAC explicitly opposing Hochul, after Blakeman garnered endorsements from two local chapters. The Republican Governors Association has also formed a political action committee to engage in the race, though its financial disclosures are pending. While Blakeman's campaign fundraising has traditionally lagged behind Hochul's, with $4.6 million cash on hand at his last filing, these super PACs are expected to inject millions into advertisements attacking Hochul, thereby helping to bridge the financial gap. Political science professor Jonathan Krasno of Binghamton University points out that challengers like Blakeman must reach a certain financial threshold to attract such crucial outside attention. Notably, Ronald Lauder, a major funder for Republican causes in 2022, is reportedly not contributing to this year's gubernatorial contest.

Governor Hochul's campaign, while robustly prioritizing its own fundraising efforts—having amassed over $35 million since January 2023 from 27,000 unique donors, with 22,000 online—will also receive considerable outside backing. The Democratic Governors Association (DGA), which made a late entry into the 2022 race, has started much earlier this cycle with a DGA-controlled super PAC named 'Greater Empire State.' This PAC has already reported $425,000 in donations from prominent wealthy individuals, including investment banker Roger Altman, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc J. Rowan, and Extell Development Co. founder Gershon Barnett. Hochul's campaign has also benefited from substantial donations from major firms like KPMG ($93,000), PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Ernst & Young (each donating $75,000), as well as heavy support from traditional Democratic backers such as labor unions. The state Democratic committee's housekeeping arm, which supports party operations, currently holds $6.5 million, significantly boosted by a $1.5 million donation from the Greater Hospital Association of New York. This comprehensive outside support is viewed by experts as crucial for buttressing campaigns and strengthening the broader party apparatus.

Beyond financial backing, Bruce Blakeman's campaign strategy exhibits a marked shift in messaging, particularly in advertisements targeting New York City and Westchester voters. While his previous campaign for Nassau County executive highlighted staunch conservative positions—such as opposing mask mandates in schools, banning transgender women from female sports teams, and establishing a volunteer armed citizen squad—his current gubernatorial campaign materials employ a more