him,  he said.  The 10 Commandments say,  Thou shalt not steal. She changed it to  Thou shalt not steal - except in New York.'

 People feel less safe in their communities because of Kathy Hochul's policies, all they do is make it easier for criminals to prey on our communities,  Blakeman added.

Blakeman wasn't the only candidate to receive police backing on Monday, as Hochul was endorsed by the state police union.

3 Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, to announce that a joint investigative partnership by members of the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Financial Services resulted in the arrests of 16 individuals as part of ongoing auto insurance fraud investigations. Brian Zak/NY Post

 Governor Hochul has invested nearly $4 billion on public safety initiatives that have benefited police officers, law enforcement agencies, and communities throughout New York State,  NYS PBA President Chris Rola said in a statement.

 Her investments have resulted in a 10% reduction in index crimes, including a 60% decline in shooting related deaths. 

But not all cop groups joined in the endorsements this election cycle - with the NYC PBA and other city law enforcement unions notably declining to pick a side.

Hochul has maintained a steady lead ahead of Blakeman with just a week to go before the midterms - topping him by about 14 points at about 55% to 41%.