Nassau County Executive Blakeman Criticizes Hochul Over Uber-Backed Insurance Reform

By Carl Campanile

*March 30, 2026*

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican candidate for New York governor, has criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul over financial support from Uber for a Super PAC advocating her proposal to reduce car insurance costs.

Uber contributed $8 million to Citizens for Affordable Rates, an independent Super PAC that is funding a media campaign in support of Hochul’s insurance reform plan. Federal election law prohibits such PACs from coordinating directly with candidate campaigns.

The plan aims to lower insurance premiums by an estimated $300 per year for drivers and generate $48 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority through measures including reduced insurance minimums, stronger protections against fraud such as staged accidents, and limits on excessive litigation, according to state officials.

Blakeman described the arrangement as Hochul being influenced by Uber’s political spending.

“Kathy Hochul is bought and paid for by Uber’s political dollars — and New Yorkers are the ones paying the price,” Blakeman told the New York Post. He argued that the proposal weakens protections against negligent Uber drivers and prioritizes corporate interests over public safety. “When I’m governor, Uber’s days of writing Albany’s rules are over. I’ll always put the safety of New Yorkers first — not corporate cash,” said Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive.

State Board of Elections records show Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi donated $48,000 to Hochul’s campaigns since 2022, including $38,000 in the current election cycle.

Hochul’s campaign responded to Blakeman’s criticism, highlighting differences in their records on crime, public safety, and economic policy.

“While Governor Hochul fights to lower the cost of car insurance, puts money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and makes record investments to keep them safe, Bruce Blakeman let violent crime hit 10-year highs in his own county, created a secret MAGA militia that answers only to him, and is working hand-in-hand with Donald Trump to jack up costs,” said Hochul campaign spokesman Ryan Radulovacki.

An Uber representative also responded.

“While New Yorkers are getting crushed by insurance costs, Blakeman is siding with billboard lawyer interests to keep the gravy train running,” said Uber spokesman Josh Gold. “More fraud, higher premiums, bigger payouts – and the public gets stuck with the bill.”

Hochul’s proposal faces opposition from some Democrats and the trial lawyers’ lobby, who resist changes to insurance regulations, including efforts to curb fraud and litigation.

Recent independent polls, including those from Siena Research Institute and Marist College, show Hochul leading Blakeman by 17 to 26 percentage points. A survey released by the Blakeman campaign indicates a narrower nine-point gap and notes that 61% of respondents are unfamiliar with Blakeman.

Hochul holds a significant fundraising edge, with $20.18 million in her campaign account compared to $1.6 million for Blakeman, according to election records.

Hochul is also navigating budget negotiations with the state legislature. A new spending plan is due Wednesday, but talks are expected to continue for weeks. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other Democrats are urging Hochul to raise taxes to address the city’s multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, a step the governor has resisted amid her re-election bid.

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