On Jul 29, 2026, Blakeman told reporters at Penn Station that Democrats have "consistently tried to cheat" and, asked directly, said he would accept the November outcome only "if the results of the elections are fair." On Fox Business the same morning he said Democrats would attempt to "steal" the election, citing a New Jersey noncitizen-registration software error; the state Board of Elections said New York's system is different and a similar mistake could not have occurred. His campaign's only cited evidence is the PCFB's since-reversed matching-funds denial and his exclusion from the Dominican Day Parade. He says the campaign is investing in "ballot security" and recruiting thousands of volunteers.

Blakeman's campaign has run a series of AI-generated ads depicting Kathy Hochul, culminating in a minute-long July 7 video in which a deepfake Hochul delivers a fictional "confession" on taxes, tolls and bail. City & State reported in May that an earlier AI video may have violated New York's disclosure law for AI-generated political content; the campaign says the ads are satire, which it argues is exempt, and notes a small "AI" label on the video. Blakeman defended the practice on NY1 on July 9. Hochul's campaign dubbed him "Bruce (Deep) Fakeman." UPDATE (Jul 22, 2026): Blakeman continued defending the AI ads on ABC7 — "you gotta use every tool in the toolbox," calling them satire in the tradition of late-night comedy; a Hochul campaign spokesman called the ads "straight up lying."

The U.S. DOJ sued New York's Health Department, its Medicaid director, and a fiscal intermediary in June 2026 over alleged fraud in the ~$10B Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) home-care system. UPDATE (Jul 16, 2026): NYS DOH and PPL filed a pre-motion letter to dismiss (Jul 15), arguing the DOJ's requested asset freeze under 18 U.S.C. §1345 is legally foreclosed in a non-criminal case, fraud claims lack sufficient factual allegations, and prior court rulings already upheld the procurement.

TWU International President John Samuelsen wrote the state AFL-CIO urging it not to endorse Hochul, citing the 2025 corrections strike firings, the 2026 LIRR strike, and an order bringing in out-of-state nurses during a strike. The AFL-CIO endorsed her anyway. Update Jul 28, 2026: UUP (~42,000 SUNY faculty/staff) ratified a five-year contract with ~98% approval — a counterpoint on the pro-Hochul side of the split.

Gambling rose to a top sector for Hochul as the industry pushes to legalize online casino gambling; Delaware North (the Jacobs family) paid Hochul's husband up to $5.35M (2016-2023), and family donations resumed in 2025 after a conflict-driven pause.

Broadway producers gave Hochul at least $479,000 since 2022; months later she proposed a $150M expansion of the NYC theatrical tax credit, partly retroactive.

Hochul backs an amendment letting the Legislature bypass the Independent Redistricting Commission; Siena polling shows bipartisan voter opposition.

The Democrat-majority Public Campaign Finance Board denied Blakeman matching funds on a party-line 4-3 vote over a running-mate filing error; courts reversed it as "arbitrary and capricious."

By declining public matching funds, Hochul keeps her large cash lead but also escapes a rule that would have required disclosing who hosts and attends her fundraisers.

The Trump administration removed the MTA as lead of the Penn Station overhaul in favor of Amtrak; Hochul welcomed it as a savings win and withdrew NY's $1.3B. In June 2026 Amtrak and "Penn Transformation Partners" signed a pre-development agreement and unveiled a ~$7-8B design (renderings included Trump's name and a presidential seal); ~$240M federal is committed and Amtrak says it will proceed with or without the MTA. Cost-sharing remains unresolved.

The Trump DOT moved to revoke approval for the toll; Hochul and the MTA sued and a federal judge (Liman) blocked the termination in March 2026. The Trump administration filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit in May 2026; the program remains operational while the appeal is pending.

The Public Campaign Finance Board disqualified Blakeman over a running-mate paperwork technicality; courts overturned the decision and restored ~$4M in funds.

Hochul touts inflation refund checks and tax cuts, but polls show most New Yorkers call the state unaffordable. Update Jul 29 2026: the next round of checks (up to $200, $1B utility-relief program) will arrive September-October, weeks before the Nov 3 election — the second straight fall delivery. Republicans call the timing a gimmick; Hochul says it is direct relief for higher utility bills.

Blakeman launched a program to deputize armed, licensed civilian volunteers during emergencies; Democratic legislators sued, alleging an illegal militia.

Blakeman signed a first-in-nation ban on public face coverings used to conceal identity; a disability-rights lawsuit was filed and dismissed for lack of standing.

Blakeman's 2024 executive order barred transgender women and girls from women's sports at county facilities; a court struck it down, the county passed a similar law, and AG James and the NYCLU sued.

Hochul indefinitely paused congestion pricing in June 2024 weeks before launch, then revived it at a reduced $9 toll for a January 2025 start.

Hochul shelved the cap-and-invest carbon-pricing program promised under the CLCPA, citing affordability. A court ordered overdue rules by Feb 2026; DEC appealed (stays the deadline), and end-of-May 2026 budget amendments statutorily pushed the deadline to Dec 31, 2028.

Nassau signed an expansive 287(g) ICE agreement in 2025; Blakeman vowed to defy new state laws restricting ICE cooperation. On Jul 24, 2026 the AG's new Office of Immigrant Trust sent Nassau (and 11 other agencies) formal notice that the agreement must be unwound by Aug. 25 under the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act. Blakeman says county lawyers are reviewing and will respond in writing by Aug. 14; no change to the agreement yet.

Hochul has cited housing costs for outmigration and at times appealed to wealthy former residents to return while opposing new taxes on the wealthy.

Budget provisions barred on-duty officers from concealing identity and limited ICE at sensitive locations. DOJ sued in WDNY (June 23) and NY countersued in NDNY; the judge declined a pre-enforcement injunction, so the ban took effect June 26. No merits ruling yet.