Hochul, Jeffries and other Democrats celebrate Election Day eve in Brooklyn

Democrats were in a partying mood in Brooklyn the night before Election Day. In a pre-election celebration, the party’s statewide ticket – headed by Gov. Kathy Hochul – along with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries rallied with supporters at Brooklyn Bowl, a bowling alley and event space in Williamsburg. It was almost as if they were already declaring victory in their attempt to win back the House and elevate Jeffries to be the first Black speaker.

Jeffries received emphatic applause when he took the stage in his home borough after spending time campaigning for other Democrats across the country. “Tomorrow is not simply Election Day, it’s judgement day,” he told the gathered supporters. “Because here in New York and all across the country, we’re going to run these MAGA extremists out of town.” Other speakers, including state Attorney General Letitia James and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli boosted the House minority leader before he took the stage. “Brooklyn is going to make sure that we give the biggest vote ever to reelect Congressman Hakeem Jeffries to let America know that the next speaker has got the hometown support 100%” DiNapoli said to cheers. 

Hochul was also bullish about Democrats’ prospects Tuesday night. “I cannot wait when I call up Hakeem Jeffries and say, ‘Mr. Speaker, I kind of need a few more billions of dollars for New York,’” she said. Hochul implied Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer would also be the majority leader come January. “Can you imagine New York state having both leaders of both bodies in Congress?” she said. “Everybody’s going to want to move to New York because we’re the political clout of the nation.”

Hochul received criticism four years ago for downballot losses in congressional races in New York that many national politicos said cost Democrats the House, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Jeffries on Monday night credited the governor for a much better performance in New York in 2024. “Kathy Hochul has done a great job bringing us as Democrats together, helping lead the effort two years ago to flip four seats here in New York, and to make sure that we built a strong foundation for being able to finish the job,” he said. 

He offered a preview for what Democrats will do if they win back the House: “In the majority, one of the first things we’re going to do is run Pete Hegseth out of town.”

The governor reiterated Democrats would flip Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat in the North Country, a deep-red seat that has come into contention with the nomination of the divisive and controversial Republican Anthony Constantino. Vice President JD Vance just visited the district earlier in the day to rally Republicans for Constantino. “We’re the ones who are going to be left standing,” Hochul said, referring to the trip. “We’re going to leave you in the dust, JD Vance.”

And of course, Hochul made sure to shout out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was not in attendance Monday night but has hit the campaign trail with her the last two weekends. “I want to thank our Mayor Zohran Mamdani for being a great partner in that as well. … We get stuff done,” she said. “I’m going to say it a little more Buffalo style: We get shit done.”

Meanwhile, Blakeman spent the evening courtside at Madison Square Garden to cheer on the Knicks while they played the Brooklyn Nets. He wore a jersey that said “Cut Taxes,” and sat next to someone in a shirt that read, “Stop Hochul’s taxes & crimes.”

After her speech, Hochul hit the lanes for a few rounds, including one frame with City & State. She bowled a strike.