By Richard Lee

In September, CBS News executive director of elections and surveys Anthony Salvanto reported that Democrats and Republicans had found something they agree on: The midterm elections are about Donald Trump.

Democrats will try to tie opponents to Trump policies that are unpopular with voters. Republicans will use the president to motivate their base. 

Those strategies could work in many elections, but there are exceptions— and the race for governor of New York is one of them. 

Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul has been following the plan, hounding away at Trump and doing her best to tie him to her GOP opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. 

Blakeman has a more difficult choice to make when it comes to strategy. 

He has the president’s backing and is aligned with him on key issues. This will help him in red parts of the state, but they won’t win too many votes in the New York City area, where high numbers of Democratic voters reside. 

So far, Blakeman has maintain a delicate balance. He stood alongside the president when he came to Syracuse to boost his candidacy on Friday. But it’s hard to find Trump’s name or image on Blakeman’s campaign website or on any of his social media accounts. 

Blakeman’s ability to maintain that balance could be put to the test Tuesday when he and Hochul square off for a debate — especially if Hochul continues to tie him to Trump and his policies. 

All the more reason to watch Tuesday’s debate, which will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in NY1’s Chelsea studios. The exchange will be available on Spectrum News NY1 and the Spectrum News Website.

Richard Lee, executive director of the Jandoli Institute, covered politics and government as a reporter and later served as Deputy Director of Communication for two New Jersey governors.

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