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).

Saritha Komatireddy, the Republican and Conservative parties' nominee for New York Attorney General in this year's election, joined the show to discuss her bid to unseat Letitia James and her vision for becoming the state's chief legal officer. The race is one of many state, federal, and local elections on the ballot this fall, with Election Day on November 3, 2026.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Democrat who has been the state's chief fiscal officer since 2007, joined the show to discuss his case for reelection, respond to criticism by his Republican opponent, Joseph Hernandez, and assess key elements of how New York is doing.

Joseph Hernandez, the Republican and Conservative parties' nominee for New York State Comptroller in this year's election, joined the show to discuss his bid to unseat Tom DiNapoli and his vision for becoming the state's chief fiscal officer. The Comptroller's race is one of many state, federal, and local races on the ballot this fall, with Election Day on November 3, 2026.

New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan - a Queens Democrat, public school parent, and chair of the Council's oversight and investigations committee - joined the show to discuss a recent hearing he co-chaired on screen time, digital devices, and education technology in New York City Schools. The conversation on this theme also included Krishnan's new policy agenda, recent announcements by the Mamdani administration, and what's next.