Ted Cruz Calls on New Yorkers to Deliver Stunning Upset Against Kathy Hochul, Backs Republican Bruce Blakeman

Sen. Ted Cruz is calling on New York voters to deliver a major political upset in November by defeating Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and electing Republican Bruce Blakeman, arguing that a Republican victory in the traditionally Democratic state would send a powerful message across the country.

The Texas Republican issued his challenge during an appearance on WABC’s Cats Roundtable, where he sharply criticized the direction of the Democratic Party and encouraged New Yorkers to consider a change in leadership.

“It would shock the country to see Kathy Hochul defeated,” Cruz declared. “It would be a powerful statement. New York, you can make a statement to the whole country.”

His remarks come as Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, campaigns to unseat Hochul in the November 3 gubernatorial election.

Hochul enters the final weeks of the campaign with an advantage in public polling, although Blakeman has continued attacking her record on taxes, public safety, immigration and affordability.

Cruz argued that the Democratic Party has moved increasingly toward its progressive wing, creating an opportunity for Republicans to challenge its leadership even in states where Democrats have historically dominated.

“Right now the radicals are taking over the Democrat Party,” Cruz said during the interview.

The senator went further, accusing the party’s most progressive figures of holding views that are hostile to traditional American values.

“They don’t love America. They hate America. They’re trying to destroy it,” Cruz charged.

He argued that repeated electoral defeats would force Democrats to reconsider their political direction and move away from the policies he believes have alienated many Americans.

Cruz’s comments came as Republicans have increasingly focused on New York’s gubernatorial race, hoping to build momentum around Blakeman’s campaign.

President Trump has already endorsed Blakeman and has made the contest a priority during the final stretch of the midterm election season.

Earlier this month, Trump traveled to Syracuse for a campaign rally where he appeared alongside the Republican candidate and criticized Hochul’s handling of New York’s economy.

The president pledged to work with Blakeman if he becomes governor, emphasizing the potential for cooperation between Albany and Washington on energy policy, immigration enforcement and economic development.

Blakeman has centered his campaign on reducing the state’s cost of living, arguing that high taxes, expensive utilities and restrictive energy policies have made New York increasingly difficult for working families and businesses.

He has pledged to pursue income tax reductions, challenge congestion pricing and reconsider restrictions on natural gas development.

The Nassau County executive has also made public safety a major campaign issue, criticizing state policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities.

Blakeman has pointed to his experience overseeing Nassau County as evidence that he can manage government spending while maintaining law enforcement priorities.

Hochul has defended her administration’s economic record, highlighting tax relief initiatives, expanded child tax credits and investments intended to make housing and everyday expenses more affordable.

The Democratic governor has also criticized Blakeman’s relationship with President Trump, portraying the Republican nominee as closely aligned with the White House.

Those disagreements were on display during the candidates’ October 13 debate, when the two clashed over immigration enforcement, public safety and economic policy.

Blakeman accused Hochul of undermining cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing that state restrictions have made it harder for local authorities to address crimes involving individuals unlawfully present in the country.

Hochul rejected his characterization and defended her administration’s approach, saying New York should not tolerate criminal activity while also questioning the conduct of federal immigration officers.

The exchange illustrated the differences between the candidates on one of the election’s most contentious issues.

The governor’s race has also attracted attention because of New York City’s political direction under Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Blakeman has repeatedly criticized Mamdani’s democratic socialist agenda and accused Hochul of moving closer to the mayor’s political positions.

He argues that the combination of higher spending, restrictive business policies and progressive approaches to public safety could damage New York’s economy.

Hochul has rejected the suggestion that she takes political direction from Mamdani, emphasizing her own governing record and policy priorities.

Cruz’s intervention adds another prominent Republican voice to the campaign as national political figures increasingly focus on New York.

The senator’s remarks also reflect his broader concerns about the Democratic Party’s ideological direction.

During the interview, Cruz recalled earlier periods when Republicans achieved major electoral victories and argued that those defeats eventually encouraged Democrats to adopt more moderate positions.

He said he would prefer a political environment in which both major parties could compete while sharing a basic commitment to the country.

Cruz also addressed the competitive U.S. Senate race in his home state of Texas, where Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.

The Texas senator expressed concern about the contest, warning that a Republican defeat in his state would carry significant national consequences.

Recent polling averages have shown Talarico holding a narrow advantage, although the race remains unsettled with Election Day approaching.

Cruz urged Republicans to remain engaged in both Texas and New York, emphasizing the importance of congressional and statewide elections.

His comments come as Democrats attempt to capitalize on concerns about affordability and the economic environment heading into November.

Republicans, meanwhile, have emphasized immigration enforcement, energy production, taxation and their opposition to progressive policies.

In New York, those competing priorities have become central to the contest between Hochul and Blakeman.

The state has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won his third term in 2002.

That history underscores the challenge facing Blakeman as he attempts to win statewide in a state that has consistently supported Democratic presidential candidates.

Nevertheless, Republicans believe the governor’s race offers an opportunity to challenge the state’s political establishment over economic and public safety concerns.

Cruz’s remarks were intended to draw national attention to that contest and emphasize the significance he attaches to its outcome.

With the November 3 election approaching, both campaigns are concentrating on turnout and persuading voters who remain undecided.

For Cruz, the race represents more than a contest between two candidates. He sees it as an opportunity for New Yorkers to register their dissatisfaction with the direction of the Democratic Party.

Whether voters embrace that argument will be determined at the ballot box, but the Texas senator has made clear that he wants New York’s gubernatorial election to become a major national political story.