Longtime Dem activist Debra Messing backs Bruce Blakeman against Hochul in NY governor's race

A longtime Democrat activist in New York, Debra Messing, has endorsed GOP nominee for governor Bruce Blakeman over Kathy Hochul, saying that the candidate is "what we need."

The "Will and Grace" actress-turned-political activist has backed the GOP candidate in the upcoming general election. She has previously stumped for Hillary Clinton and donated to Cynthia Nixon’s campaign for governor in 2018. She has also been very anti-Trump.

Messing, a Brooklyn native, said at a fundraiser for the candidate. "I am so grateful you are running. You are what we need more than anything," per the New York Post. “The decline in this city over the last four years has been so exponential and devastating — economically, socially and on every level. And obviously, we’ve lost so much business here. People are leaving."

She then said that the "city I love" has become "not the city I love anymore." Looking at Blakeman, she added, "I believe in all my heart that you are the answer. You are the affordable campaign candidate. People are just really struggling. They need their utilities to be lower."

Blakeman said of Messing's support, "Debra Messing is backing me over Kathy Hochul. Party loyalty doesn’t pay the utility bill or keep you safe. Thank you, Debra. I’ll cut taxes, lower bills, and make New York safe and affordable. Had enough of Hochul? Join us."

Messing, who is Jewish, has also slammed socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and has called him an “American-hating jihadist" and has nicknamed the mayor “Osama bin Mamdani.” During New York City's mayoral race, she endorsed Andrew Cuomo.

Blakeman, however, is a supporter of Israel, while Hochul has drawn mixed reactions over her comments about the Jewish state.