Hochul, Blakeman square off in only NY gov debate: Who won and who lost

Democratic Gov.Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman faced off Tuesday night in the only debate of their hotly contested gubernatorial election campaign — trading barbs on affordability, immigration, President Trump, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.Polls have consistently shown Hochul leading Blakeman with the Nov.

3 election fewer than three weeks away, but the Nassau County executive is hoping to close the gap after the governor held off Lee Zeldin by just 6.5 percentage points four years ago.Here’s everything you need to know from The Post’s panel of experts about what happened Tuesday night.Comments have been lightly edited for clarity.Winner: Blakeman.“Hochul showed why she doesn’t want to debate; she is out of practice.

She was a deer in the headlights from the opening statements and back on her heels for the remainder of the debate.“After the amazing performance by Republican Saritha Komatireddy in the Attorney General debate Blakeman had to rise to the occasion.He did and this will help his fundraising and energize his base.”Best moment for Blakeman: “The beginning.

He dominated the first 15 minutes talking immigration and high energy costs in New York State.That’s what most viewers would see before they lost interest.”Worst moment for Blakeman: “When he wanted to continue discussing the high cost of utility bills and cut off the moderator, who was asking Hochul if she would raise income taxes due to pressure from progressive allies.”Best moment for Hochul: “Anytime she mentioned Trump.

She was reminding voters of her message that Blakeman is Trump.”Worst moment for Hochul: “Anytime she mentioned Trump.She should have had more to say so viewers would vote for her, not against Blakeman.”Winner: Tie“Neither made a fatal error and neither knocked it out of the park.

They both had an equal number of cringeworthy moments, verbal stumbles, and snide zingers – some of which landed, while others did...