Analyzing the Hochul-Blakeman Debate & State of the Governor’s Race, with Bob Hardt by Max Politics

Bob Hardt, New York political director for Spectrum News, joined the show to analyze the lone debate between Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, which took place October 13 on Spectrum News. Hardt and host Ben Max discussed key moments in the debate, areas of disagreement between Hochul and Blakeman, how each candidate performed, and the broader state of the gubernatorial race with under three weeks until Election Day (November 3, 2026).