NYC mayor slams GOP candidate for alleged bigotry despite not watching debate

NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani accused Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman of ongoing bigotry and racism during a press briefing, even though he admitted he only viewed a short clip of the recent debate with Governor Kathy Hochul. Mamdani said it is impossible to track all of Blakeman’s alleged prejudice and praised Hochul’s vision for a more affordable New York. He contrasted Hochul’s universal childcare initiative with Blakeman’s televised claim that the program rewards "lazy parents" and his pledge to halve Medicaid.

Mamdani also highlighted Blakeman’s criticism of ICE actions in the Bronx, where a 28-year-old Dominican was shot, noting that a 5-year-old child in Oscar Bergal’s vehicle was unharmed. Hochul responded to Blakeman’s remarks on ICE as a non-answer, emphasizing her oversight of state policing. The exchange underscores the sharp partisan divide ahead of the upcoming election.