Kathy Hochul

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said defending Israel internationally would be "a lot easier" if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loses Israel's election, arguing his handling of the Gaza war has hurt the country's standing and blocked any path to Palestinian statehood. A longtime Israel ally who visited shortly after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, Hochul has faced criticism from some Jewish New Yorkers over her ties to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, an Israel critic. She also suggested Netanyahu's continued rule could complicate a Jewish Democrat's 2028 presidential prospects. Netanyahu faces a tough reelection fight against Gadi Eisenkot amid record turnout, though rivals also oppose Palestinian statehood.

Gov. Kathy Hochul rallied in Syracuse ahead of Election Day, criticizing opponent Bruce Blakeman for pursuing what she called "Trump-style leadership" in New York. Her remarks followed President Trump's earlier Syracuse rally endorsing Blakeman, where Trump praised him and attacked Hochul's record on cost of living, crime, and corruption. Blakeman has called Hochul "Clueless Kathy" and accused her of neglecting upstate voters; the two have also sparred over utility bills and immigration enforcement in debates. At her rally, Hochul touted local projects including the I-81 overhaul and the Micron semiconductor plant, and endorsed Rep. John Mannion for New York's 22nd District.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, speaking for county executives statewide, has pressed Gov. Kathy Hochul to follow through on repealing New York's 2000-era sales tax exemption for internet data centers, calling it outdated for today's hyperscale facilities. McMahon, who heads the New York State County Executives' Association, wants the repeal included in Hochul's upcoming state budget proposal, arguing developers should negotiate incentives locally rather than claim exemptions automatically. Niagara County officials have said a major local data center claims the exemption, costing the county millions. Separately, Onondaga County has hired consultant CPL to study data centers' local impacts, with results expected by mid-2027, as officials weigh a proposed project in Lysander.

A Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter at Stuyvesant High School, one of New York City's most selective public schools, is drawing criticism after co-signing an Instagram post declaring "Intifada Until Victory!" alongside YDSA chapters at Hunter College, the New School, City College and Lehman College. The Oct. 8 post accused the NYC Democratic Socialists of America of silencing pro-Palestinian student activists and criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani for retaining NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, calling her a "Zionist billionaire."

United Jewish Teachers president Moshe Spern demanded the post's removal and a public apology, citing Title VI protections and calling for a review of the club's charter. School officials have not responded. NYC-DSA defended the student groups' right to organize, calling criticism "red scare tactics." The incident reflects ongoing tension over Mamdani's handling of Israel-related issues since the war began in 2023.

Several New York Democrats running in competitive House races are putting distance between themselves and Gov. Kathy Hochul weeks before Election Day. Rep. Tom Suozzi skipped a Hochul campaign stop on Long Island, citing a scheduling conflict, while Rep. Laura Gillen attended. In New York's 17th District, challenger Cait Conley was caught on video agreeing with GOP Rep. Mike Lawler that "Hochul has got to go," later calling Hochul to smooth things over. Blake Gendebien, running in the 21st District, declined to say if he'd support Hochul. Recent Siena polling shows Hochul's favorability underwater and her lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman narrowing in suburban and upstate areas, reviving concerns about coattail effects seen in 2022.

Democrat Angie Nixon, who upset Alex Vindman in Florida's Senate primary by nearly 12 points, is now challenging Republican Senator Ashley Moody in a race most analysts consider a longshot for Democrats. Florida has 1.5 million more registered Republicans than Democrats, and polls show Moody leading, though margins vary. Nixon faces a severe funding gap, having raised under $1 million to Moody's more than $11 million as of late July, limiting her ability to counter attack ads tying her to the Democratic Socialists of America.

National Democrats have been slow to invest in the race, but Senators Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders are campaigning with Nixon this week, with Sanders contributing $250,000. Nixon is running on universal health care, child care, and affordable housing, and is working to mobilize Black voters and women while courting GOP-leaning communities. She has embraced an unapologetically progressive, grassroots-driven campaign, drawing comparisons to gubernatorial nominee David Jolly's more moderate crossover strategy, with both races seen as tests of competing Democratic approaches ahead of 2028. Analysts say Trump's unpopularity and cost-of-living concerns give her an opening, but she would need exceptionally high Democratic turnout combined with Republican voters staying home to overcome the state's structural disadvantages.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is facing criticism for delaying a decision on whether to opt the state into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program, a school-choice initiative set to take effect January 1. The program lets taxpayers claim federal tax credits of up to $1,700 (or $3,400 for married couples filing jointly) for donations to organizations providing K-12 scholarships, including for families already enrolled in private schools. Participation requires governors to formally opt in.

Ferguson's office says it is reviewing newly issued Treasury Department rules before deciding, with no timeline given. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently opted her state into the program, intensifying calls for Ferguson to follow suit. Jewish community groups, including the Samis Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, are lobbying for participation, citing the importance of Jewish day schools. Washington's state superintendent has urged rejection, citing cost and civil-rights oversight concerns, while state Republican leaders accuse Ferguson of stalling and using the superintendent as a proxy to avoid taking a public stance.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman met in their only televised debate ahead of New York's gubernatorial election, hosted by NY1. Polling shows Hochul leading by a wide margin, putting pressure on Blakeman to produce a breakout moment while Hochul aims to project gubernatorial competence, particularly on affordability issues like utility bills and cost of living. Blakeman's campaign has leaned into an alliance with President Trump, including a recent joint rally in Syracuse, while Hochul has worked to tie her opponent to the unpopular president. Trump's standing in deep-blue New York remains a central dynamic of the race, amplified by fallout from a recent ICE shooting in Manhattan that has strained relations between the administration and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The debate followed a separate state attorney general matchup last week between Democratic incumbent Letitia James and GOP challenger Saritha Komatireddy, whose strong performance generated viral attention. Both races are being closely watched as bellwethers heading into the broader midterm cycle.