Hochul deflects when pressed on ties to 'anti-Christian' Mamdani in fiery debate moment: 'Shame on you'

New York Democratic Gov.

Kathy Hochul declined to directly defend socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during Tuesday night's gubernatorial debate after her Republican challenger accused him of being antisemitic, anti-Christian and un-American.

"With all the issues that face New York City, the first thing he did was sign an executive order to water down the definition of antisemitism , shame on you, mayor," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said on the debate stage before pointing his attention at Hochul over her endorsement of the socialist New York City mayor.

"You are campaigning around the state with a guy who doesn't believe in American values," Blakeman said.

"He talks about collectivism.

That means you take personal property rights away.

You take other people's property rights.

This is a guy that's anti-Christian, couldn't find an hour out of his day to attend the installation of a new archbishop here in New York City, the biggest religion in the city of New York.

Look, if you want to campaign with him, that's fine.

But I will tell you right now, I think Zohran Mamdani is an antisemite.

I believe he's anti-Christian.

And I don't think he has American values." Hochul responded by turning to the moderator and deciding to answer a previous question about comments, reported by the New York Times, Blakeman made in a "secret meeting" related to whether the NYPD under Mamdani would respond if far-left protesters were causing violence against the Jewish community.

Blakeman disputed her characterization of that meeting before complimenting Mamdani for selecting and keeping Jessica Tisch as NYPD commissioner.

"Let's move on," the moderator then said.