Hochul Seeks to Unite Democrats With Pre-K, Child Care and Safety Push Ahead of Re-Election

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul used her State of the State address Tuesday to lay out a reelection agenda aimed at bridging growing divides within the Democratic Party. Her pitch combined affordability measures and child care commitments with proposals on immigration oversight and public safety designed to reassure both progressives and moderates.

Affordability and Child Care

Speaking to a full house at The Egg, the domed theater near the state Capitol, Hochul unveiled a slate of affordability proposals, headlined by a plan to expand pre-kindergarten across the state by 2028 and to create a child care program for 2-year-olds in New York City.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers the 2026 State of the State address, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Albany, N.Y. (Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Immigration, Oversight and Accountability

Hochul sharply criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies and proposed legal changes to increase accountability for federal agents. She backed a measure to allow lawsuits when federal officers "act outside the scope of their duties" and a restriction that would bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement from entering schools, hospitals and houses of worship without a judge-issued warrant.

"Public safety will always come first, but it must be pursued lawfully and with humanity. When boundaries are crossed, accountability matters," Hochul said.

Public Safety and Antisemitism

The governor said she would keep enhanced police patrols on the city’s subways and expand mental health teams on transit systems. She also proposed banning protests within 25 feet (7 meters) of houses of worship after a recent demonstration outside a Queens synagogue where pro-Hamas chants were reported, calling the incident "harassment" and "antisemitism."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers the 2026 State of the State address, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Albany, N.Y. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Hochul pledged to protect New Yorkers from politicized changes in public health policy, saying immunization standards should "be set by trusted medical experts, not conspiracy theorists."

Political Landscape

A centrist from Buffalo, Hochul faces pressure from the left and the right as she prepares for this year’s campaign. Republican county official Bruce Blakeman, aligned with former President Trump, has launched a bid for governor and criticized Hochul over taxes and cost-of-living concerns. After the speech he said, "If speeches fixed problems, New York would be thriving."

Hochul is also trying to court progressives to blunt a primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, whom she appointed in 2022. Delgado has criticized her as too reactive and is traveling on a self-styled "State of the People Tour." Meanwhile, progressive New York City Councilmember Zohran Mamdani—whose affordability priorities overlap with parts of Hochul’s agenda—was visibly supportive during the address.

What’s Next

Hochul’s proposals must now be negotiated with a Democratic-controlled state Legislature. She has resisted some progressive funding ideas, including surtaxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, setting the stage for tough budget talks in the months ahead.