State

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Governor leads New York's executive branch, proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills and appoints agency heads; the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket and presides over the State Senate.

Candidates Compare by issue

Taxes & budget

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
- Pledges 10% income tax cut for earners under $250,000
- Proposes using the $3.8 billion state reserve for tax relief
- Pledges to end state spending on undocumented migrants
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
- Secured middle-class tax cuts and a larger child tax credit

Public safety

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
- Opposes sanctuary policies; supports county cooperation with ICE
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports stronger red flag laws and blocking 3-D-printed guns

Education

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
No documented position found.
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
- Signed ban on student cell phones during school hours
- Secured free school meals for all students

Housing

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
- Opposes rent freeze on New York City regulated apartments
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
- Proposes extending Excelsior tax credits to small businesses
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
- Pledges to end Manhattan congestion pricing
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
No documented position found.

Health & human services

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
No documented position found.
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
- Pledges universal child care in New York
- Supports abortion rights

Government & transparency

Bruce A. BlakemanRepublican, Conservative, Vote Affordable
No documented position found.
Kathy C. HochulDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports holding federal ICE agents accountable

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.