New York Governor Hochul brags about tougher ‘bail laws’ in campaign ad amid tight race with Lee Zeldin

New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul bragged about enacting tougher bail laws in a campaign ad released on Friday as her re-election bid tightens.

Hochul’s new campaign ad comes amid repeated criticism of GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin, who said in July that « cashless bail has been a failure, » calling for its repeal.

« A safe ride home at night. A fearless subway ride. A safer New York for every child, » Hochul’s campaign ad states. « That’s what Kathy Hochul works as governor for. And she’s enacted a comprehensive crime plan to make it happen. It’s tackling illegal guns to make our neighborhoods safer. Strengthen the laws on bail to keep repeat offenders off our streets. And getting help for the homeless and those with mental illness. »

« You deserve to feel safe, and as governor I won’t stop working until you do, » Hochul said at the end of the campaign ad.

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Its ad touts stronger state cash bond laws, which were included in the fiscal year 2023 budget and passed April 9.

Changes include expanding the list of factors judges must consider when granting bail, which adds « a history of using or possessing firearms (which currently does not apply domestic violence cases) », « any prior violation of a protective order (which currently only applies in domestic violence cases) », and « if the charge is alleged to have caused serious harm to one or more persons, » according to the governor’s website.

The enacted budget also allows judges to set bail for three felony firearms offenses that were not eligible for bail.

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Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin speaks during a « Moms 4Zeldin » town hall on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on October 7, 2022 in New York City.
(John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Additionally, repeat felonies and Class A misdemeanors « involving damage to person or property will now be eligible for both arrest and bail. »

New York’s Bail Reform Act of 2020 eliminated cash bail options for most non-violent crimes.

Its ad promising to bolster public safety, which invokes bail laws, comes just weeks after Buffalo, New York-area woman Keaira Bennefield was allegedly killed by her husband a day after his death. prison exit.

Adam Bennefield, 45, turned himself in to Cheektawaga police after being charged with misdemeanor assault on Oct. 4, according to FOX 29. On Oct. 5, Bennefield allegedly used his car to hit his wife’s vehicle, in no more shooting at him.

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference on the upcoming gun-free zone implementation in Times Square, Wednesday, August 31, 2022, in New York City.
(AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

The misdemeanor assault charges relate to an incident in which Adam Bennefield allegedly punched Keaira Bennefield.

Fox News’ Stephanie Pagones contributed to this report.