HARLEM, New York City (WABC) -- Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman spent Monday making their final appeals to voters ahead of Election Day, with both campaigns expressing confidence as they rallied supporters across New York.
The last day of campaigning follows a surge in early voting statewide. More than 1.7 million New Yorkers cast ballots during the early voting period, including more than 690,000 voters in New York City, where turnout far exceeded 2022 levels. Democrats have held an advantage in early voting, though Republicans historically rely more heavily on Election Day turnout.
Blakeman arrived at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, saying he hoped the momentum of a Knicks championship run would translate into victory for his campaign. He pointed to what he called his winning strategy, sewn onto the back of his jersey.
"I fully expect that tomorrow night I will raise my hand just like the Knicks did and claim the championship," Blakeman said.
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Meanwhile, Hochul rallied supporters in Williamsburg on the eve of the election. While polls suggest she maintains an advantage in the race, Hochul urged supporters to turn out and vote.
"People are just so hungry, so hungry to have Democrats lead this nation once again and make sure that we don't allow, we don't allow here in New York state, Trump-style leadership, which is what Bruce Blakeman said he would bring to New York," Hochul said.
Blakeman spent the final stretch of the campaign targeting conservative voters upstate and in the suburbs, while criticizing Hochul's political allies.
"Zohran Mamdani hates America. He's antisemitic, he's anti-Christian and he's anti-American. AOC hates America. This is who our governor is palling around with," Blakeman said.
Hochul campaigned with progressive allies in Queens on Sunday and appeared Monday night alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
"Tomorrow America has an opportunity to break MAGA extremism," Jeffries said.
Standing with Jeffries, Hochul emphasized Democratic unity.
"Can you imagine New York state having both leaders of both bodies in Congress?" Hochul said.
As both candidates made their closing arguments, Hochul projected confidence in the governor's race, while Blakeman argued voters are frustrated by issues such as taxes and utility bills.
"I believe that there are enough Democrats and independent voters that will vote for me. That we will be victorious tomorrow," Blakeman said.
Voters will decide the race on Tuesday.
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