Hochul Sidesteps 'Anti-Christian' Remarks by Mamdani During Heated Debate: 'Shame on You'

New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul reaffirmed her support for Mayor Zohran Mamdani after Bruce Blakeman called him an antisemite.

When pressed on Mamdani's support, Hochul changes the subject in a heated exchange

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman clashed over her support for New York Mayor Zahran Mamdani during a heated debate Tuesday night.

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul refused to directly defend Socialist New York Mayor Zahran Mamdani during Tuesday night's gubernatorial debate after her Republican challenger accused her of being anti-Semitic, anti-Christian and un-American.

"With all the issues facing New York City, the first thing he did was sign an executive order to lower the definition of anti-Semitism, shame on you, mayor," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said on the debate stage before turning his attention to Hochul for his support of New York's socialist mayor.

"You're campaigning across the state with someone who doesn't believe in American values," Blakeman said. He talks about collectivism. This means you are taking away your personal property rights. You take other people's property rights. This is a man who is anti-Christian, he couldn't take an hour out of his day to attend the inauguration of the new archbishop here in New York City, the biggest religion in New York City. Look, if you want to campaign with him, I'll tell you right now that Zoran is right, but I think Zoran. I believe he is anti-Christian and I don't think he has American values.

Hochul turned to Moderator Blackman, who decided to respond to an earlier question about comments reported by The New York Times in a "confidential meeting" about whether Mamdani-led NYPD would respond if far-left protesters incite violence against the Jewish community. Before praising Mamdani for selecting and retaining Jessica Tisch as NYPD commissioner, Blakeman disputed his character description of that meeting.

Then the host said, “Let's continue.

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"Anti-Semitism is on the rise and it's happening under your watch and Zahran Mamdani is fueling it," Blakeman added before the conversation moved on to another topic.

Republicans were quick to highlight the exchange on social media.

Despite the governor's press secretary scandal, Hochul's office mocked Kathy Zacharias after the injury to Aaron Rodgers.

"Zahran Mamdani is anti-Semitic, she's anti-Christian, she's anti-American. And Kathy Hochul is campaigning with her," Republican National Committee (RNC) Northeast Campaign Director Christian Cianchi posted on X. "What a shame. New York deserves better."

The Republican Party of New York wrote in X: "Zahran Mamdani is anti-Semitic, anti-Christian and anti-American. And she is Katie Hochul's best friend.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman face off in the only scheduled debate before New York's November gubernatorial election on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in New York. (Anaconners/Pool New York Times)

During a news conference Wednesday morning about the state's investment in the first community center in Jackson Heights, Hochul was asked about the exchange and why he "didn't stand up for the mayor."

"I will not take the bait from someone who makes such crazy arguments," Hochul said.

"He had a lot of things that were either false or so absurd that I didn't dignify them with my response, Governor. So, everybody knows that I reject that, his description of the mayor. The mayor and I are great partners, we work hard together. And I don't want to disrespect him with how I responded to these outlandish comments."

The two New York politicians clashed Tuesday night on a variety of topics, including President Donald Trump, the recent shooting at ICE, energy prices and inflation.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York state by nearly two to one, but a September poll showed Blakeman narrowing her deficit to Hochul to single digits.

Hochul, who is running for a second full four-year term and governs the nation's fourth-most populous state, has 50 percent of likely voters in New York to Blakeman's 41 percent, according to a Sinai College poll conducted Sept. 11-17.

By a 50 percent to 30 percent margin, voters said Mamdani's support for Hochul was a plus for the governor's re-election bid.

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