Blakeman pursues 'Vote Affordable' ballot line in run for governor

ALBANY — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is trying to create an independent voting line on the November ballot in hopes of boosting his chances of defeating Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Volunteers with Blakeman’s campaign have been asking voters to sign petitions for the Vote Affordable line.

The campaign must collect 45,000 signatures from registered voters across the state to get the Vote Affordable line on the ballot. As part of that effort, it must get 500 votes or 1% of the enrolled voters from at least half the state’s 26 congressional districts.

"I am very grateful that tens of thousands of Republicans, Democrats and Independent voters have signed the petition to stop Kathy Hochul’s tax and utility rate hikes and place me on the 'Vote Affordable' Independent Line," Blakeman said in a statement. "It’s a high bar to get over, but the enthusiasm alone among nonpartisan voters ensures we will be successful in November."

Other Republican committees and candidates across the state have also been promoting the effort over the past few weeks on social media. The news was first reported by a City & State reporter who was approached by a volunteer at a campaign event Friday for U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler.

Blakeman appeared at the event, along with President Donald Trump and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Hochul campaign spokesman Ryan Radulovacki responded to the "Vote Affordable" push in a statement. "New Yorkers know what Bruce Blakeman’s ‘100% MAGA’ ballot line stands for: Expensive groceries and gas, higher energy costs thanks to Trump, no money back in your pocket, and tariffs squeezing small businesses and families across New York."