Spectrum News / NY State of PoliticsTIER 1High
Responding to the ATF's planned rollback of more than 30 federal firearms regulations, Hochul announced Jul 30 that State Police will prioritize inspections of dealers linked to crime guns, the Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns will expand, and the state will run a dealer-education campaign. She will also seek two bills in January: requiring all firearm sales to occur in person (countering federal moves to allow online sales) and requiring affirmative background-check approval before a sale — aligning gun checks with the stricter ammunition standard. Framed explicitly against the Trump administration: rollbacks "make it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain firearms."
NY Post via AlgemeinerTIER 2High
A Red Oak Strategic poll commissioned by the pro-Blakeman "Strong and Safe" super PAC — a previously unreported committee — puts Hochul at 47%, Blakeman 43%, 10% undecided among 2,000 registered voters surveyed Jul 7-12 (MOE ±2.2). It also reports Hochul approval at 39/56 and Blakeman leading independents 54-33. The partisan-sponsored numbers contrast sharply with Siena's June public poll, which had Hochul up 52-32.
City & State NYTIER 1High
At a Penn Station press conference Jul 29, Blakeman said Democrats have "consistently tried to cheat" and would accept the outcome only "if the results of the elections are fair." Asked for evidence, his campaign cited two examples: the PCFB's since-reversed denial of his matching funds and his exclusion from speaking at the Dominican Day Parade. On Fox Business that morning he said Democrats would attempt to "steal" the election; the state BOE said the New Jersey registration error he cited could not occur under New York's system. Hochul's campaign called it "embracing Trump's election denial lies." The same presser included attacks on Mamdani's tax policies.