Hochul Stumps at Brooklyn Gay Bar Before Election

Governor Kathy Hochul made a campaign stop at The Exley in Williamsburg on the final day of early voting.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections

Hochul Stumps at Brooklyn Gay Bar Before Election

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Governor Kathy Hochul made a Sunday afternoon campaign stop at The Exley, a gay bar in Williamsburg, two days before election day. She greeted patrons, chatted with constituents, celebrated the Knicks, and took selfies with people and a dog.

Why it matters

The stop comes as Hochul seeks her second full term amid polls released by Marist and Siena showing her with a double-digit lead over challenger Bruce Blakeman. Campaign outreach to specific community venues in the final days of early voting reflects how candidates target voters ahead of the close of the race.

The campaign stop took place two days before election day, and polls released by Marist and Siena within a week of the vote show Hochul with a double-digit lead over Blakeman. The extraction does not indicate the final result or turnout.

The players

Kathy Hochul

Kathy Hochul is the Governor of New York seeking her second full term in office.

Bruce Blakeman

Bruce Blakeman is the challenger running against Governor Kathy Hochul in the New York gubernatorial race.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a New York Congressmember who joined Hochul at the Bills game in Queens before the campaign stop.

The details

Hochul spent the early afternoon watching the Bills' victory over the Ravens in Queens alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez before arriving at The Exley, 1 Jackson St. in Brooklyn. Inside the dimly-lit bar she greeted patrons, chatted with several constituents, and celebrated the Knicks.

Sunday, November 2, 2026 (afternoon): Hochul makes campaign stop at The Exley.
Two days before election day, on the final day of early voting.

Political Context

Final-days visits to community venues such as LGBTQ bars are a recurring tactic in New York statewide campaigns, aimed at mobilizing supporters before early voting closes. The extraction does not describe any opposition response to this particular stop.

For New York City voters, the close of early voting marks the final opportunity to cast a ballot before election day. Residents should confirm their polling locations and voting hours before heading to the polls.

The takeaway

Final-week campaign visits show how candidates reach specific communities as early voting closes. Voters who have not yet cast a ballot should check their options before election day.