Trump rallies for Blakeman in Syracuse as governor's race heads to its only debate
The president's Friday night rally at the Oncenter is the Republican nominee's bid to run up upstate turnout. Hochul and Blakeman meet Tuesday on NY1 for their lone debate.
Photo: Arthur Raslich / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
- President Trump is scheduled to hold a midterm rally Friday night at Syracuse's Oncenter for GOP governor nominee Bruce Blakeman and other New York Republicans.
- Punchbowl News reported the rally is happening at Blakeman's request, City & State says.
- Rep. Mike Lawler, who faces Democrat Cait Conley, is not attending.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul and Blakeman debate once, Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m., live on NY1 and Spectrum News and streamed on YouTube.
- It is one of the first two general election debates held under the state Public Campaign Finance Board, which requires candidates who take matching funds to debate.
President Donald Trump is set to rally Friday night at the Oncenter convention center in Syracuse for Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for governor, and other GOP candidates in New York, City & State reported.
The rally, organized by Trump's fundraising committee, is the president's first in Syracuse since his 2016 primary run. Punchbowl News reported that Trump agreed to come at Blakeman's request, according to City & State.
Why upstate
Syracuse itself votes reliably Democratic, but strategists quoted by City & State said the Nassau County executive needs to beat expectations in Central and Western New York to offset the Democratic vote in New York City. In 2022, Republican Lee Zeldin lost statewide to Gov. Kathy Hochul by about 6 points but carried Central New York's counties by 5.6 points, the outlet noted. Blakeman's running mate, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, is from the area.
Not every Republican is on board. Rep. Mike Lawler, who faces Democrat Cait Conley, is skipping the event. House candidates Anthony Constantino and Kailee Buller are expected to attend. Hochul has spent the campaign tying Blakeman to Trump, and independent polls show her with a comfortable lead, City & State reported.
The only debate
The two candidates are set to meet once on stage. Spectrum News will host the hourlong debate on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at NY1's Chelsea studios, co-moderated by Errol Louis and Susan Arbetter, NY1 announced. It will air on NY1 and Spectrum News across the state and stream on YouTube, WXXI News reported.
It is one of the first general election debates held under the state Public Campaign Finance Board, which requires candidates who receive public matching funds to debate, according to NY1. Attorney General Letitia James and Republican Saritha Komatireddy debated under the same rules on Thursday.
- City & State New YorkWhy Blakeman wanted Trump's midterm rally in Syracuse
- NY1Spectrum News to host 3 debates in races for statewide office
- WXXI NewsDebate date set for New York governor candidates
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