GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Blakeman Slams Mamdani’s ‘Backwards’ Big Government Push

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s progressive economic agenda, accusing the mayor of having “it completely backwards” on taxes and government intervention.

Blakeman, who previously worked for President Ronald Reagan, reacted to Mamdani’s recent meetings with Wall Street CEOs, including JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon and Goldman Sachs’ David Solomon. The mayor is reportedly attempting to manage backlash over his push to raise taxes on the wealthy, even as the finance industry and its tax revenue continue to shift away from New York.

“Him meeting with all of the bankers—that’s like ASAP Rocky going to a country music festival,” Blakeman said. “You’re putting a communist in with the leaders of capitalism. Zohran Mamdani has it completely backwards.”

The comments came after Mamdani announced plans to open the first city-run grocery store in the Bronx next year, arguing that government intervention is needed to lower prices for struggling families. The mayor directly challenged Ronald Reagan’s famous warning about government, stating: “I think nine more terrifying words are actually, ‘I worked all day and can’t feed my family.’”

Blakeman dismissed that framing. “High net worth individuals create jobs, prosperity, [and] economic development,” he said. “When they leave, they take all those jobs with them and take the tax revenue with them, so it’ll fall on the middle class. Taxing the rich is a really bad idea.”

The candidate also took aim at incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul, calling her tenure “a disaster” for the state. He noted that New York ranks 41st out of 50 states in economic development, has the highest taxes in America, and electric bills that are 70% higher than the national average — a figure he pledged to cut in half by tapping the state’s natural gas reserves.

“Do you know that we are buying natural gas from Pennsylvania when we have one of the biggest reserves in the world?” Blakeman said. “People in Pennsylvania are driving brand new Cadillac Escalades. In New York, they are driving 30-year-old rusted-out pickup trucks.”

Blakeman criticized Hochul for spending $8 billion on services for illegal migrants over three years, including free transportation, food, housing, and cell phones. He argued this has fueled union demands, pointing to the MTA’s recent deal that granted raises following a three-day Long Island Rail Road strike.

“How does a union leader go to the members and say New York State doesn’t have any more money for you, when Kathy Hochul has given $8 billion to illegal migrants?” he asked.

On managing a potential future relationship with Mamdani as governor, Blakeman was blunt: “Just like any parent would treat a child — incremental discipline. I have power over the budget. I will make sure that he behaves himself or he won’t get the things that he needs.”

Blakeman pointed to his record as a county executive, citing $150 million in tax cuts, seven bond upgrades, four budget surpluses, and GDP growth from $81 billion to $126 billion during his tenure, even while hiring 600 new law enforcement professionals.

“By lowering taxes, by inviting businesses in, and not chasing businesses out, you create economic activity,” he said. “That’s how you can lower taxes and still provide quality services.”

When asked about the delayed state budget — the latest in 16 years despite Democrats controlling the governorship, Senate, and Assembly — Blakeman said he would negotiate early and aggressively. “Half a loaf is better than none,” he said.

He dismissed concerns that Democratic-leaning voters fleeing to Florida would leave only solidly blue voters in New York. “Blue voters are very disenchanted with Hochul and Mamdani,” he said. “They haven’t produced anything. Common sense Democrats are coming our way.”