Republican Bruce Blakeman Vows to End 'War on Drivers' in NY

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 14, 2026

Republican Bruce Blakeman has vowed to repeal New York’s 2035 zero-emission vehicle mandate if elected governor, criticizing it as harmful to drivers and the state’s economy. His campaign, supported by a super PAC funded by James Dolan, links current green policies and rising costs to the state’s significant population decline and seeks to position Blakeman as a proponent of middle-class interests.

Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive and gubernatorial candidate in New York, has pledged to end what he describes as a state “war on drivers” by dismantling Democratic-led green energy policies if elected governor. Blakeman specifically criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s efforts to phase out gas-powered vehicles in favor of zero-emission electric cars by 2035.

Blakeman condemned the state’s Advance Clean Cars Mandate 2, a 2022 law backed by Hochul, which requires all new passenger vehicles sold in New York to be zero emissions starting in 2035. He argued that the policy restricts consumer choice, drives up vehicle costs, and strains the state’s electrical grid. According to Blakeman, Hochul’s approach unfairly burdens middle-class drivers who rely on gasoline-powered vehicles for daily tasks such as commuting, transporting children, and carrying equipment.

“Kathy Hochul looks at middle-class commuters and sees an ATM,” Blakeman stated, criticizing recent toll hikes, the introduction of congestion pricing for Manhattan, and the proposed ban on gas-powered cars. “When I’m governor, Hochul’s war on drivers ends, and her gas car ban goes straight to the garbage,” he added.

Hochul’s administration has promoted the zero-emission vehicle mandate as a necessary measure to comply with New York’s climate change goals aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and improving air quality. In response to Blakeman’s critique, Hochul’s campaign declined to comment directly on the green vehicle policies. Instead, spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki highlighted Hochul’s efforts to reduce auto insurance costs across the state and associated Blakeman with former President Donald Trump’s energy and trade policies, linking the Republican candidate to higher gas prices and tariffs that increase vehicle costs.

Meanwhile, a super PAC funded by James Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks, has launched a $250,000 billboard campaign criticizing Hochul’s leadership and connecting her policies to an ongoing population decline in New York. The group, Strong and Safe New York Inc., has placed billboards near key border crossings with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Canada, Massachusetts, and Vermont, which assert that residents are leaving the state due to Hochul’s governance. The messaging includes the line, “You are Now Leaving NY (Like Everyone Else),” accompanied by Blakeman’s call for votes.

Experts have noted the state’s population fell by over 201,000 between 2020 and 2026, marking the largest decline for any state according to census-related analysis. The super PAC and Blakeman attribute the exodus to rising living costs under Hochul’s administration. Blakeman pointed to his record in Nassau County, where he claims to have cut taxes and improved safety to retain residents.

As the gubernatorial race intensifies, debates over energy policy, taxation, and New York’s economic future remain central to the campaigns of both candidates.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.