Trump heads to upstate New York to boost GOP turnout — but could energize Democrats, too

President Donald Trump travels to Syracuse on Friday evening for a rally at the Oncenter, hoping to energize Republican voters in a Democratic-leaning part of New York without also motivating the opposition. Gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman is appearing alongside Kailee Buller, who seeks the 22nd Congressional District seat that Democrats flipped in 2024. Blakeman told Fox News that Republicans need Trump supporters to turn out as they did two years ago. He trails Gov. Kathy Hochul by 11 points in a Marist poll released this week, although she is slipping among independents, according to MS NOW.

Buller has begun distancing herself from the president, telling a debate audience that she is not a "rubber stamp for the president" and that she opposes a prolonged war with Iran. Her opponent is Rep. John Mannion. Trump also aims to help Republicans elsewhere in the state: Anthony Constantino, in the 21st District, faces Democrat Blake Gendebien after Cook Political Report downgraded the seat to "likely Republican," and Rep. Mike Lawler trails Democrat Cait Conley by two points in an Emerson College poll.

Syracuse University political scientist Grant Reeher described the visit as a double-edged sword, noting that turnout matters more than persuasion.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →