Disclaimer: I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician or a commentator.
But I absolutely love New York — and I want the best for our city, our state and the people who call them home.
After watching Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate, one thing became clear to me: Bruce Blakeman is running against Kathy Hochul, but Kathy Hochul thinks she’s running against Donald Trump.
That’s unacceptable.
New Yorkers deserve a debate about the state we live in, and the record of those running it, not mere political theatre.
And that’s just one of the reasons why Blakeman has won my vote.
Another is this: Checks and balances are critical.
As a moderate, I really dislike the extremes of both parties.
In New York, Democrats control the governor’s office and both chambers of the state legislature; with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists pushing us further left, we need a governor willing to challenge that agenda.
When extremes gain influence, no party should get a blank check.
Another factor: Dead last is unacceptable.
New York ranks 50th in the 2026 ALEC Laffer economic outlook index, which evaluates all 50 states on policy variables like taxes, labor policy and fiscal policy.
With our talent, businesses and resources, we should be setting the standard — but our policies put us at the very bottom.
Why? Partly because our taxes put us at a competitive disadvantage.
New York’s aggregate state and local tax burden is the highest in the country, 71% above the national average.
Partly, too, because of energy costs that are crushing affordability.
New York’s average residential electricity rate was approximately 63% above the national average in July; families and businesses feel that every month.
Hochul should be held accountable for all of it.
So no wonder people (and companies) are voting with their feet, fleeing left and right to places like Florida and Texas, states with zero state individual income tax.
We cannot ignore the competition.
When families, entrepreneurs and employers leave, the tax base that funds services for everyone moves with them.
And we lose more than revenue — we lose part of New York’s future.
We’ve got to stop the bleeding.
To do that, Albany must stop behaving as if spending more is a strategy.
New York’s latest state financial plan puts annual spending at roughly $277 billion — compared to Florida’s $117.6 billion state budget (despite its larger population).
Are our services really that much greater than those in Florida?
We need fiscal responsibility badly.
Balancing budgets and living within our means is something we need to take seriously as a country, and neither side of the aisle seems able to do it consistently.
We need leaders willing to question spending, measure results and make difficult decisions.
Hochul is provably not such a leader. Blakeman can be.
Meanwhile, on social issues, Blakeman gives me no qualms.
He’s said, both publicly and privately, that he is pro-choice — a meaningful disagreement with much of his party that matters to me.
He has made confronting antisemitism a central commitment of his campaign.
I want leadership that protects Jewish New Yorkers in schools, on campuses, in synagogues and on our streets: Nobody should have to hide who they are or wonder whether their children are safe.
He will undoubtedly step up in a way that many of our politicians have simply not (looking at you, Mamdani).
And on immigration, Blakeman maintains that compassion and public safety must go together.
New York is a city and state built by immigrants; that’s part of our strength.
But compassion doesn’t mean shielding illegal immigrants who commit crimes.
Blakeman supports lawful cooperation between local and national law enforcement to address serious offenders.
He’s also open to a path for law-abiding people who have been here for some time and who pay taxes to stay here and feel safe.
That’s the type of compassion needed to bring down the heat.
Finally, this: You can dislike Donald Trump and still vote for change.
You can disagree with Republicans on national issues and still want accountability in Albany.
You can vote for checks and balances without endorsing every position a party takes.
Hochul’s Trump-only debate strategy meant she could dodge serious questions about New York’s taxes, spending, energy costs and quality of life.
I love this place too much to accept that this is the best we can do.
I want our children to see a future here.
I want businesses to grow here.
And I want every New Yorker to feel safe, respected and proud to call this state home.
New York state has so much going for it. We should demand leadership that helps it thrive.
So I’m casting a vote for change — and for Bruce Blakeman.
Bill Wise, a lifelong New Yorker and father of five, is co-founder and CEO of a New York City-based ad tech company.