Add The New York Post on Google A Super PAC bankrolled by Knicks owner James Dolan is dunking on Gov. Kathy Hochul in a fiery new ad for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.
The pro-Blakeman “Strong and Safe New York” Super PAC is spending more than $1 million on a 30-second spot titled “Get Outta Town” that is set to run on digital and streaming platforms for multiple weeks.
“Just a few short years ago, Kathy Hochul told us all to…’jump on a bus and head down to Florida where you belong. Get outta town!,'” the ads says, showing a clip of Hochul saying just that.
Then it shows another snippet of the Democrat governor saying, “Our tax base has been eroded. Maybe the first step should be go down to Palm Beach and see who we can bring back home.”
The narrator responds, “Why would they come back? For higher taxes? Higher utilities? Enough is enough. Bruce Blakeman will lower taxes and make New York State affordable again. Bruce Blakeman for Governor.”
The Dolan-backed PAC is the leading advocacy group spending money to aid Blakeman so far.
Hochul, who is seeking re-election to a second, four-year term, has a massive fundraising advantage.
“Friends for Kathy Hochul” reported $21 million on hand ahead of the election, according to recent filings, plus an additional $22 million in the state Democratic Party’s account.
Blakeman’s campaign and the allied Nassau County Republican Party and other GOP groups have raised about $11 million, according to filings.
Strong and Safe NY released a poll last month claiming that Blakeman only trailed Hochul by 4 percentage points, 47% to 43% — with the remaining 10% undecided.
Other independent polls — such as those conducted by Siena College — show Hochul comfortably leading by double digits.
Democrats outnumber Republicans more than 2-to-1 in the state, according to Board of Elections enrollment figures.
There are more unaffiliated registered voters than registered Republicans.
This year, Hochul gave New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani the authority to impose a pied-a-terre property tax surcharge on one-to-three family homes valued at $5 million and co-ops and condos worth $1 million that are not primary residences.
She boasted that she did not raise the income or corporate taxes sought by Mamdani.
Hochul’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
