Kathy Hochul, Lee Zeldin debate crime in New York gubernatorial debate | USA TODAY

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin squared off in the first and only debate of the governor's race in New York.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin squared off Tuesday night in their first and only debate of the governor's race, clashing over crime, abortion rights, economic development and more with just days to go before New Yorkers begin casting ballots in early voting on Saturday.

Hochul, a Democrat seeking her first full term on Nov. 8, fended off rapid-fire jabs from Zeldin and promoted her 14-month record as governor, while Zeldin, buoyed by recent polls showing him trailing by only modest margins, seized the televised platform to pummel his opponent, particularly on crime. He is seeking to become the first Republican to win statewide office in 20 years in New York, where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by 2 to 1.

"I'm here for one reason: to save our state," he declared in his opening statement, arguing Democrats have made New York less safe, less free and too expensive. "You can focus on keeping people scared, or you can focus on keeping people safe," she said.

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28 comments

    1. She is evil 👿! Anyone who’s goal is to enable criminal actors is truly an evil person – lower than dirt.

  1. Hocul refuses to address crime in NYC and NYS. . Democrats for Lee Zeldin, Latinos for Zeldin. Enough is enough.

  2. Can’t stop the millions of leftists in NYC. We need to seperate sectors like a electoral vote in ny just because of that.

  3. Lee Zeldin for the win!, bring back Stop And Frisk and re-fund local and state law enforcement!. End the BLM-Democrat bail policy too!.

    1. 1st it’s not that bad and I live on top of one the subway stations that has had many incidents. You can visit and survive.
      2nd it’s still a major issue

  4. Maybe if Kathy Hochul stop Letting violent criminals out of jail, she wouldn’t have to worry about them getting their hands on guns?

  5. Lee Zeldin was speaking what the real people on the streets are concerned about. I got none of that from Kathy. She just wants a check.

  6. Please New Yorkers, let’s save this state and get this awful appointed governor out in November, vote for Zeldin, remind everyone you know, we can make it happen
    Zeldin 22 save NY

  7. If this guy wins, I can only imagine how badly NY legislators will be kicking themselves in the teeth for pushing out Cuomo.

    Because Zeldin wouldn’t have stood a chance against him.

  8. Imagine going to vote a Democratic ticket in NY and being held up and beaten by a violent felon who just got out on bail.

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