Off Topic/On Politics

It was a dominant election night for New York Democrats, led by Gov. Kathy Hochul's roughly 20-point victory over Republican Bruce Blakeman. Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli also easily won their respective races, while Democrats flipped New York's 17th Congressional District as incumbent Rep. Mike Lawler conceded to Kate Conley despite a major ballot-printing error in Westchester. Meanwhile, longtime Brooklynites Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are poised to lead the Senate and House. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Dan Rivoli and Kelly Mena broke down a historic night for Democrats in New York. After that, the "Off Topic" team examined Mayor Zohran Mamdani's relationship with Hochul and what it could mean for upcoming budget negotiations, along with the New York City ballot questions, all of which passed with more than 60% support.

Election Day is almost upon us — and will Bruce Blakeman be able to break the 20-year hold Democrats have on the governor's mansion in Albany? NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan take a look at the closing arguments being made in New York's three statewide races. Then, Mayor Zohran Mamdani isn't on the ballot, but he has been on the campaign trail, lending his star power to Gov. Kathy Hochul while keeping his focus largely on one issue: universal childcare. The "Off Topic" team examined how and why the mayor and governor are working so closely together. 

Early voting kicks off this weekend. Could two politicians from Brooklyn soon lead the House and Senate? If Democrats flip the House, Hakeem Jeffries could become the country's first Black speaker. Retaking the Senate could put Chuck Schumer back in charge of that chamber. Key House races in the Hudson Valley, on Long Island and in Queens could help determine whether Democrats regain control. Political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena and political director Bob Hardt break down the battle for Congress just days before the midterm elections.

This week, Spectrum News NY1 hosted the first and only debate for governor in New York, live from its Chelsea studios. Incumbent Kathy Hochul faced off against her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Who had the most to gain from the matchup, and whose approach proved most effective? Political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli and political director Bob Hardt broke down a feisty debate just weeks before Election Day. After that, following decades of political battles, a bill to ban horse-drawn carriages is headed for the finish line. The City Council is set to vote next week after revisions were made to the proposed legislation, aimed at addressing the impact on industry workers and medallion owners. The "Off Topic" team examined what finally moved the legislation forward and how the Transport Workers Union is responding.

As the race for governor heats up, Gov. Kathy Hochul teamed up with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the campaign trail in the Hudson Valley. The politicians found common ground by fighting data center construction, despite sometimes being on different ends of the Democratic spectrum. With less than one month until Election Day, Hochul appears to be looking to boost her polling numbers by appealing to more left-leaning voters, while Ocasio-Cortez continues to increase her political reach upstate. The "Off Topic" team discussed who is really helping whom.  After that, Mayor Zohran Mamdani rode the Staten Island Ferry with NY1's Errol Louis in the second installment of NY1's exclusive series, "Out of Office with the Mayor." The "Off Topic" team went behind-the-scenes of that conversation, discussing Mamdani's campaign promises of NYPD reform, his plans to campaign with Hochul, and the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.