Key facts
- Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman visited a Midtown Manhattan subway station.
- A man was shot dead at the station.
- Blakeman criticized Governor Kathy Hochul as "pro-criminal."
- Republicans are focusing on public safety and bail reform.
- Violent crime is down, and affordability is a top voter priority.
New York Republicans are employing a public safety-focused strategy in the lead-up to the midterm elections, aiming to capitalize on voter concerns about crime and bail reform. Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for governor, visited a Midtown Manhattan subway station where a man had been shot dead, using the incident to criticize Governor Kathy Hochul as "pro-criminal." This approach mirrors tactics used by then-Rep. Lee Zeldin in 2022, which nearly led to his victory. Republicans are also backing President Donald Trump's deportation policies and warning New Yorkers about perceived dangers under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Governor Hochul has sought to counter these strategies by increasing the State Police budget and amending the cashless bail law. Despite these efforts, Blakeman is testing the effectiveness of the public safety message as violent crime has decreased and affordability remains a primary concern for voters.