Hochul and Blakeman target Queens voters in final push before Tuesday

Governor Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman concluded their weekend campaigns in Queens, the final major swing district before polls open at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

Hochul, who leads in current polls, prioritized visibility in the borough. She attended a Halloween-themed Queens Night Market on Saturday with Mayor Zohran Mamdani. On Sunday, the duo joined Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to watch the Buffalo Bills play at a bar in Astoria. Hochul described the weekend on social media as a time for sampling food and meeting local vendors.

Blakeman focused on mobilizing his base and attacking state climate policy. He headlined a rally at Juniper Valley Park alongside Assembly candidate Brandon Castro and Councilmember Phil Wong. At the event, Blakeman urged supporters to conduct phone banking. "Call people who will vote the right way," he said. "Make a list and call them and call them and call them."

Blakeman also visited a Chinese restaurant in Queens to criticize Local Law 97, a state measure designed to reduce building emissions. In an Instagram video, he held a wok while arguing for the protection of gas stoves. "We gotta make sure we protect all these gas stoves," he stated.

Both candidates used the weekend to reach voters in the World’s Borough, a key area for the governor’s race. Hochul leveraged her status as incumbent to attend high-profile public events. Blakeman emphasized grassroots outreach and specific economic concerns related to the restaurant industry. The campaign trail in Queens ended Sunday evening, leaving the final hours to local volunteers and media coverage.