Hochul vs. Blakeman: How to watch the only governor’s debate tonight at 7 p.m.
The governor and her Republican challenger share a stage once before the Nov. 3 election. Here is when the debate airs and where the race stands in the polls.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican nominee Bruce Blakeman meet Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. for the only debate of the governor’s race, three weeks before New Yorkers vote on Nov. 3.
How to watch the Hochul Blakeman debate
The hour-long debate will be carried by Spectrum News channels throughout New York, and those channels will also stream it on their YouTube pages. Errol Louis and Susan Arbetter are moderating.
For Hochul, the Democratic incumbent, the night is a chance to pitch voters face to face on keeping her in office. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, gets his best chance to lay out a different plan for the state and maybe land a moment that goes viral. His campaign is short on money, which could make it hard to keep his ads on the air in the final weeks.
What the polls show before Election Day
Few voters appear to be undecided. Last week’s Marist University survey put Hochul at 53% and Blakeman at 42%, leaving 5% unsure. Among those already backing one of the two, just 2% said they could still change their vote.
Marist pollster Lee Miringoff said a debate mainly affects motivation, giving each candidate a chance to tell their own base how much the outcome matters.
Hochul wants a wider win this time. In 2022 Republican Lee Zeldin finished just 5.5 points behind her, a tight result for such a Democratic state, and it helped the GOP pick up several key New York congressional seats and take control of the House.
Both campaigns have brought in big names from their parties. Last week Hochul and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez visited a farm in Fishkill to promote her one-year pause on building new data centers. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he offered to campaign for her in the closing weeks. Blakeman held a rally with President Donald Trump in Syracuse on Friday to fire up Republican voters across much of upstate New York.
Hochul’s campaign keeps reminding voters of Blakeman’s friendship with Trump and has run ads showing the two together. In last week’s Marist poll, 39% of New Yorkers approved of Trump’s job performance.
Quick answers
When is the Hochul Blakeman debate?
Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. It runs one hour.
Where can I watch the governor's debate?
On Spectrum News channels throughout New York and on their YouTube pages.
Who is leading the New York governor's race?
A Marist University poll last week had Hochul ahead of Blakeman 53% to 42%, with 5% undecided.
