Who Will Win New York’s 23rd Congressional District House Seat

President Donald Trump made his first visit to Syracuse as a sitting president, headlining a rally for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman ahead of New York's November elections. About 2,500 supporters packed the Oncenter while a roughly equal number of protesters gathered at Clinton Square before marching toward the venue; no arrests or violence were reported. Trump repeated familiar campaign themes, criticizing immigration policy, downplaying climate change, and claiming credit for the Micron Technology project despite the deal predating his second term. He urged supporters to vote as though he were on the ballot.

Notably, many local Republicans skipped the event, including Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick, reflecting lingering friction after the GOP's historic losses in Central New York last year. Trump's approval rating in New York sits at 34%, and Blakeman trails Gov. Kathy Hochul in every poll. The visit underscored the high stakes of the governor's race and down-ballot congressional contests, as both parties battle for control of Upstate districts and Congress.

President Donald Trump campaigned in Syracuse Friday night for Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman, drawing about 2,500 supporters to the Oncenter while roughly 4,000 protesters gathered nearby. The rally came a day after an ICE agent shot and wounded Oscar Belgal, 28, in Manhattan's Marble Hill neighborhood while he was driving with his 5-year-old son; federal authorities alleged Belgal had gang ties.

In a speech lasting more than 80 minutes, Trump attacked Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James over immigration, energy and tax policy, repeated disputed claims about election fraud and the Interstate 81 teardown, and promised Blakeman would sharply cut electric bills and taxes. Blakeman pledged to end New York's sanctuary-state status by executive order on his first day in office if elected. Hochul's campaign has branded Blakeman "Trump's puppet" and defended her record, including the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act limiting local cooperation with ICE, which some upstate sheriffs are suing to overturn. Immigration enforcement and affordability remain central issues as the governor's race enters its final weeks.

The City of Buffalo has not filed its required 2026-27 winter snow plan, which was due to the Common Council by April 1 and is now roughly 150 days overdue. City officials say last year's three-tier plan, which prioritizes main roads and emergency routes before residential streets, remains the active plan while revisions are finalized, with a new version promised before winter.

Council Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope says city charter rules require a plan to be formally filed each year rather than carried over automatically. Her larger concern is equipment: six new plows ordered under this year's budget are not expected to arrive before winter begins, despite assurances she says she received that the timeline would be met. Deputy Mayor Benjamin Swanekamp said the city front-loaded investment in new equipment but is "at the mercy of manufacturers" for delivery. The uncertainty over both the plan and equipment readiness raises questions about Buffalo's preparedness for a potentially severe winter season.