Bruce
A. Blakeman

AP reported that Blakeman had suggested Democrats might steal the election, emphasized fears about immigrant crime, and posted AI-generated videos depicting New York as dangerous and unaffordable. His campaign themes included public safety, opposition to progressive policies, and transgender-athlete issues.

President Trump appeared with Blakeman at a rally in Syracuse. Trump had backed Blakeman after Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out and Rep. Mike Lawler opted against a statewide run. Blakeman stated he makes his own decisions, is pro-choice while Trump is pro-life, and supports a guest-worker immigration program.

The New York State Democratic Party formally urged the Public Campaign Finance Board not to release remaining matching funds to Blakeman's campaign, citing the reported campaign finance irregularities.

Blakeman made an appeal to Jewish New York voters, saying he would oppose antisemitism and take a different stance than NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Israel-related issues.

A Marist poll of 1,361 New York registered voters (Oct. 1–4, ±3.6 pts) showed Hochul leading Blakeman 53% to 42% overall, while Blakeman led among independents 49% to 42%.

Politico reported that Blakeman had not refunded roughly $360,000 in contributions it said exceeded the applicable general-election limit of $9,000 per individual donor, since he faced no primary.

Blakeman and Hochul campaigned separately in Queens, both emphasizing crime and public safety. Blakeman argued he could attract independents and Democrats.

Blakeman made a campaign stop in Dunkirk, energizing a crowd during the upstate New York appearance.

Raw Story reported that Blakeman's campaign submitted approximately $300,000 in duplicate donations as part of its public matching-fund requests, raising further questions about its campaign finance practices.

Blakeman appeared alongside Rep. Mike Lawler and other officials in Chappaqua to criticize Governor Hochul's sanctuary policies.

New York Focus's findings about more than 2,600 potentially ineligible donations tied to over $860,000 in matching-fund requests were republished, drawing wider attention to the campaign finance concerns.

Blakeman's campaign disclosure filed just after midnight October 3 showed nearly $10.5 million in spending from July through September and just over $177,900 in cash on hand.

Politico reported that Blakeman had offered few policy details in his bid for governor. Separately, lohud reported on campaign finance issues including the matching-fund dispute and a court ruling that had allowed his campaign to participate in the program.

New York Focus reported its review of campaign filings found more than 2,600 donations, associated with more than $860,000 in potential public matching funds, that appeared ineligible under program rules, including donations from outside New York and donations above applicable limits.

Politico reported that the Board of Elections certified the primary ballot on May 13. Blakeman did not face a June primary contest.

After Blakeman's campaign was initially denied access to matching funds due to a paperwork problem involving his running mate, a court ruling in May allowed the campaign to proceed in the program after correcting the error.