Gov. Hochul Arrives for Gubernatorial Debate as Supporters of Both Campaigns Gather Outside

Blakeman Supporters Outside the Debate

Supporters hold TWU Local 106 signs backing Bruce Blakeman outside the New York gubernatorial debate.

Activity Outside the Debate Venue

Fox 5 outside NY1’s Chelsea studios as supporters gather ahead of the debate.

Hochul Supporters Gather Outside

People holding Hotel and Gaming Trades Council signs gather among pro-Hochul campaign signs outside the debate venue.

Governor’s Arrival

A vehicle carrying Gov. Kathy Hochul arrives outside the Chelsea studios as personnel stand nearby.

Supporters Outside NY1

Campaign supporters gather near the entrance to NY1’s Chelsea studios ahead of the gubernatorial debate.

Gov. Hochul Arrives for the Debate

The vehicle carrying Gov. Kathy Hochul approaches the debate venue in Chelsea.

Support for Gov. Hochul

A supporter holds pro-Hochul union signs outside the gubernatorial debate.

Stop Data Centers

An individual demonstrator holds a “Stop Data Centers” sign outside the debate venue.

Manhattan, New York October 13, 2026
Location: Spectrum News NY1 Studios

Supporters of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman gathered outside Spectrum News NY1’s Chelsea studios ahead of the only scheduled debate of the 2026 governor’s race.

As a vehicle carrying Hochul arrived, supporters near the entrance held signs backing the governor. Nearby, Blakeman supporters also gathered, including members of TWU Local 106, whose signs endorsed his candidacy.

The street outside the studio reflected the competing political messages surrounding the debate, with campaign signs, union representation and individual issue-based demonstrations. One man carried a sign opposing data centers, an issue connected to broader concerns over energy use and electricity costs.

Inside, Hochul and Blakeman debated issues including affordability, immigration, public safety and energy policy.