Blakeman and GOP cross NYS in 8-city tour with hours to go until midterm election

Bruce Blakeman and New York’s ticket of GOP hopefuls hit the campaign trail together on day two of a state-wide tour to make their final pitch to voters before Tuesday’s election.Blakeman — the Nassau County executive running for governor against Gov.Kathy Hochul — started Monday alongside attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy and comptroller hopeful Joseph Hernandez at the Embassy Diner on Long Island, known as “America’s most patriotic diner” for its displays of the red, white and blue.“We are crisscrossing the state, bringing the message that help is on the way,” Blakeman told reporters outside the diner in Bethpage as he continued on his eight-city tour of the state.“Kathy Hochul is making people miserable — Democrats and independent voters are coming my way.”Blakeman’s tour kicked off Sunday and continued Monday morning with just hours to go before the midterm polls opened Tuesday.He made it to Oswego, Albany and Rensselaer County on the first leg of the tour Sunday, and was headed for Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Manhattan and then back to Long Island before the day was out in a final sprint to meet with voters.The trio of candidates walked the Embassy tables to talk with diners during the breakfast rush, with Komatireddy telling reporters she spoke with many who “want a safer NY,” which she said echoed what people had been saying throughout her campaign.All three candidates are trailing their opponents in their races — Blakeman behind Hochul at 40% to 54%, Komatireddy behind incumbent Democrat Letitia James at 39% to 54% and Hernandez behind incumbent Democrat Thomas DiNapoli at 32% to 59%, according to Sienna University — but Blakeman felt confident they could still flip New York red.“I believe that there are enough Democrats and independent voters that will vote for me, that we will be victorious tomorrow,” Blakeman said.

“Because every day, every single day, another Democrat comes up to me and ...