Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is promising voters that, if elected governor, he will serve as a powerful check on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and what he describes as the socialist direction of the state’s largest city.

Speaking on Breitbart News Daily, Blakeman argued that New York voters now have a clear record to judge Gov. Kathy Hochul by, contrasting the current race with Republican Lee Zeldin’s 2022 campaign.

“I have a big advantage over Lee Zeldin because when he ran four years ago, Kathy Hochul didn’t have a report card,” Blakeman said. “And right now, we are the most overtaxed state in the United States of America. We’re the most overregulated state.”

Blakeman’s campaign is increasingly framing the 2026 gubernatorial race as a choice over the future direction of New York, particularly as Mamdani’s influence over the state’s political landscape grows.

The Republican candidate has argued that the governor has an important role to play if Mamdani pursues policies that threaten New York’s economy, public safety, or the rule of law. Blakeman previously said that if Mamdani attempts to “destroy the economy” of New York City, he would act to protect the state’s economy and ensure that law enforcement and the rule of law are supported.

The race has also begun to tighten. A recent Siena College poll found Hochul leading Blakeman 49 percent to 39 percent among likely New York voters, a significant narrowing from earlier polling. The poll also found Blakeman performing better than Hochul on several character measures, including being “tough,” “in touch with average New Yorkers,” “honest,” and someone who “gets things done.”

President Donald Trump endorsed Blakeman on August 14, further elevating the Republican’s campaign and attacking Hochul over crime and other issues.

With Mamdani emerging as one of the most prominent faces of New York’s socialist movement, Blakeman is betting that voters outside New York City will see the gubernatorial election as an opportunity to push back against the policies coming from the city.

The message is straightforward: Blakeman wants to make the 2026 governor’s race not only a referendum on Hochul’s record, but also a battle over whether New York’s government will place limits on the growing influence of socialist politics.

New York voters will ultimately decide whether Blakeman’s promise to serve as a “check” on Mamdani resonates statewide.