Overview
- Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood accepted the lieutenant governor slot and appeared with Blakeman at the state GOP convention kickoff in Garden City, emphasizing a law‑and‑order message.
- Hood, a former Syracuse police officer and three‑term sheriff, said the campaign would focus on rising crime, higher costs and repeat offenders, pledging support for law enforcement and taxpayers.
- Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino, initially reported as the pick, turned down the offer, citing the demands of a full‑time statewide campaign as GOP figures raised vetting concerns following social‑media scrutiny.
- Party rules required Blakeman to present a running mate by the convention’s end this week, driving the rapid switch and prompting jabs from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign and criticism from some Republicans.
- Recent Siena polling shows Blakeman trailing Hochul by a wide margin, Hochul has tapped Adrienne Adams as her running mate, and protesters outside the event criticized Blakeman’s ICE cooperation agreements.