Spectrum NewsTier 2
Hochul and Blakeman campaign separately in Erie County a month out; Hochul announces free community college expansion, Seneca gaming compact talks still unresolved
Both candidates campaigned in Erie County on Oct 5 with affordability as the shared theme. Blakeman criticized Hochul on taxes, utility costs and business climate; Hochul announced an expansion of the state free community college program and tied Blakeman to Trump tariff policy. Seneca Nation protesters appeared at a Blakeman event over gaming compact talks; Hochul said negotiations continue with no agreement. Candidates debate next week (Oct 13).
Related fact-checks
Blakeman says he will cut utility rates in half by signing an "emergency order" lifting New York's fracking banMostly False"There were no deaths at the hands of ICE in Nassau County." — Bruce Blakeman, Capital Tonight, Aug 26, 2026Half True"Our electric bills are 70% higher than the national average." — Bruce Blakeman, Livingston County GOP rally, Avon, reported Aug 19, 2026Half True
More on campaign
City & State · Oct 3, 2026One month out, Hochul and the state Democratic Party hold more than $33M in cash; Blakeman figures for the same period not yet availableSpectrum News · Oct 2, 2026Trump to campaign with Blakeman in Syracuse on Oct. 9, his first Syracuse visit as president; venue not yet announced and neither the White House nor the campaign has released detailsNYS Focus · Sep 30, 2026NYS Focus review finds Blakeman's matching-funds requests included more than 2,600 ineligible donations worth about $860K in potential match; the board did not answer questions about his contributionsNY1 / State of Politics · Sep 30, 2026Blakeman pitches income-tax exemption for earners under $50K single / $100K joint (about $4,000 a year, paid for by redirecting immigrant and refugee aid); Hochul cites no income or corporate tax increases and her rebates
Source: Spectrum News · Oct 6, 2026 · Credibility Tier 2 · Permalink https://reviewhochul.com/news/erie-county-campaign-stops-oct-5-2026
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