New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pushed back against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman after the Republican gubernatorial candidate called him antisemitic and anti-Christian during Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“When you're running a campaign that has very few ideas of what it can offer New Yorkers, it tends to be one that is trafficking in racism and bigotry,” Mamdani said. “That’s what we’ve seen from Bruce Blakeman.”

Blakeman has repeatedly highlighted Mamdani’s endorsement of Hochul as part of his campaign attacks on the governor. Hochul, meanwhile, has sought to tie Blakeman to President Donald Trump, pointing to the president’s endorsement of the Republican candidate.

Recent Siena polling suggests those associations may be influencing voters.

Pollsters say Mamdani’s endorsement appears to be benefiting Hochul, while Trump’s backing of Blakeman may be weighing on his campaign amid the president’s low approval ratings in the region.