New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing criticism from political opponents and advocacy groups after advising congregants at a predominantly Black church in Buffalo not to spend their upcoming state inflation refund checks at liquor stores, with critics calling the remarks tone-deaf and racially insensitive.
The Comments and Context
Speaking at True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo on Sunday, Hochul discussed the inflation refund checks that eligible New York residents will begin receiving later this month. During her remarks, she told the congregation: “Checks are coming out soon, watch the mail. Don’t spend it all in one day. Get something you really need. Don’t stop by the liquor store. Buy something for the kids. Buy them some food.”
She added, “Sometimes I have to stop by the liquor store too, I understand it’s alright,” which prompted a mixed reaction from the congregation.
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Hochul later acknowledged that her comments prompted both applause and some uncomfortable responses from those present.
Political Response and Criticism
Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who is challenging Hochul in next year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, issued a sharp rebuke of the governor’s remarks. “It reduces whole communities to harmful stereotypes and strips away the dignity of parents and children alike,” Delgado said in a statement.
Delgado connected the comments to previous controversial statements by Hochul, including her May 2024 remark that “some young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is.” He characterized this as “a pattern — and it’s racist.”
Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, who has indicated interest in running for governor, also criticized Hochul’s “condescending” tone and described it as part of a “disturbing pattern of racial insensitivity.”
Community and Advocacy Group Reactions
Tuulikki Robertson, executive director of The Black Institute, a social equity nonprofit, said the organization was “deeply troubled” by Hochul’s remarks, reflecting concerns from some advocacy groups about the appropriateness of the comments.
However, the governor received support from some who were present at the service. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who attended the church service, defended Hochul’s intent while acknowledging the wording could have been better.
“The congregation at True Bethel Baptist Church understood the point she was trying to make about spending that money wisely,” Peoples-Stokes said, adding that the remarks were “meant to be instructive” and could have been made at any house of worship.
Church Leadership Defense
Bishop Darius Pridgen, who leads True Bethel Baptist Church and introduced Hochul at the service, strongly defended the governor against criticism. Pridgen, a former Buffalo Common Council president, argued that critics misunderstood the context of her remarks.
“I was surprised to hear that there were some people who took the governor’s comments as racist,” Pridgen told reporters. “Kathy Hochul being at True Bethel is like family coming home.”
Pridgen explained that his Sunday sermon was titled “Before you crash out” and focused on personal responsibility and making good decisions. He said Hochul’s comments were directly responding to his sermon’s themes about avoiding poor choices.
Hochul’s Response and Apology
At an unrelated Manhattan event on Wednesday, Hochul acknowledged that her comments were poorly phrased while defending her intentions. “It was not the best way” to discuss the rebate checks, she admitted.
“I was in my hometown at a church I’ve gone to for 20 years. I’m dear friends with the bishop, the congregation. They’re all my friends,” Hochul explained. “I was acknowledging a lot of the stress people are under in our communities. I made a lighthearted joke.”
She emphasized that she wasn’t making generalizations about any particular community and expressed regret that some people were offended. “My intention is never to offend anybody in that context and regret that that is the takeaway for some people.”
Historical Context and Pattern Concerns
The controversy comes as Hochul seeks reelection next year and follows her previous controversial comments about Black communities. Her May 2024 “computer” remark about Bronx youth sparked widespread criticism from Democratic politicians and was viewed millions of times on social media.
At that time, Hochul’s approval ratings dropped to 38%, making her less popular than Donald Trump in some New York polls. While she has since improved her standing, the latest comments risk reinforcing perceptions about her relationship with Black communities.
Political Implications
The timing of the controversy could prove significant for Hochul’s reelection campaign. With Delgado already challenging her in the Democratic primary, additional gaffes could provide ammunition for opponents seeking to question her sensitivity to minority communities.
The incident also highlights the challenges politicians face when attempting informal, personal communication styles in religious settings, where comments intended as lighthearted advice can be interpreted as condescending or stereotypical.
Community Support and Context
Peoples-Stokes attempted to provide additional context for understanding the remarks, noting Hochul’s Irish heritage and suggesting the governor might have been drawing from personal experience with alcohol-related issues rather than making assumptions about the Black community.
The mixed reactions—both criticism and defense—illustrate the complex dynamics surrounding political communication in diverse communities, where context, relationships, and historical patterns of interaction all influence how messages are received and interpreted.
As Hochul continues her reelection campaign, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly political communication can generate controversy, particularly when addressing sensitive topics across racial and cultural lines.
