Queens Voters Decide Hochul's Future Amid Record Early Turnout

Queens residents will cast ballots this Tuesday in a general election that pits incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The contest is the central focus for borough voters, who face 16 distinct races on their ballots along with five charter amendment proposals.

Early voting numbers in the borough have exceeded expectations. By Thursday evening, 95,982 Queens residents had already cast their votes during the first six days of the early voting period. This figure represents an increase of approximately 4,500 votes compared to the same period in the previous general election. Across the state, 400,137 New Yorkers had voted by that time.

Polling data from Siena College and Marist College indicates Hochul leads Blakeman by 14 points. Both candidates have campaigned extensively across the city and state in recent weeks, with recent stops in Queens. Blakeman runs on a conservative platform that emphasizes tax reductions and lower utility bills, claiming his administration would enforce stricter crime policies. His running mate is Todd Hood, an upstate sheriff. Hochul campaigns on her gubernatorial record, highlighting her resistance to the Trump administration and her support for universal childcare alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Her running mate is Adrienne Adams, a former City Council Speaker and lifelong Queens resident.

Beyond the top of the ticket, the 23rd Assembly District race appears to be the only state-level contest likely to be competitive. The district covers parts of the Rockaway Peninsula and Broad Channel. Pesach Osina, a moderate Democrat supported by retiring incumbent Stacey Pheffer Amato, faces Thomas Sullivan, an Army veteran and local business owner. Osina won the June primary by securing the majority of votes in the district's Orthodox Jewish community, despite losing most voting precincts. Both candidates support the QueensLink project and a new trauma hospital for Rockaway, and both advocate for increased NYPD funding.

The 3rd Congressional District race may also see a close finish. Democratic incumbent Thomas Suozzi faces Republican Mike LiPetri in a rematch. Suozzi won this district by three percentage points in 2024. The district includes a small section of northern Queens.

Several new officials are expected to take office following Tuesday's vote. Democratic Socialists of America members David Orkin, Claire Valdez, and Aber Kawas are projected to defeat their conservative opponents. Samantha Kattan and Brian Romero, also affiliated with the DSA, run unopposed. Nathaniel Hezekiah will succeed Assemblymember Vivien Cook without opposition. Patrick Martinez, a relative of former representative Joe Crowley, is expected to succeed Assemblymember Steven Raga.

Judicial races include three vacancies on the Supreme Court, with Edwin Novillo, Oma Phillips, and Gail Adams running on the Democratic line. Gary Muraca and David Bellon run as Republicans. Civil Court races cover four municipal districts, with candidates such as Jasmine Valle-Bueno, Edmond Wong, Michael Mossa, and Thomas Barra seeking boroughwide seats.

Five ballot proposals from the Commission on Government Efficiency will also appear on ballots. Created by Mayor Mamdani in May, the commission drafted these amendments to streamline city operations. Proposal 1 simplifies permitting for sidewalks and streets to accelerate the installation of accessibility ramps and bus shelters. Proposal 2 alters the contracting process and mandates quarterly meetings for the Procurement Policy Board. Proposal 3 speeds up transportation projects and property sales. Proposal 4 centralizes construction permitting and moves waterfront approvals to the Department of Buildings. Proposal 5 sets savings targets for the city’s Rainy Day Fund and requires regular reporting on its funding.