# Hochul deflects blame after Lawler diss

> Hochul claims Cait Conley clarified video where Lawler said she must go.
- Title: Hochul deflects blame after Lawler diss · New York Post
- Summary: Hochul claims Cait Conley clarified video where Lawler said she must go. Governor Hochul says Democratic candidate Conley agreed with Republican Lawler that…
- Keywords: kathy hochul, mike lawler, cait conley, new york governor, democratic candidate, republican candidate, new york 17th house district, news, entertainment, Hochul, deflects, blame
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/10/16/us-news/kathy-hochul-deflects-blame-after-cait-conleys-mike-lawler-diss
- Published: 2026-10-16T16:14:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kathy hochul, mike lawler, cait conley, new york governor, democratic candidate, republican candidate, new york 17th house district, news, entertainment
## Hochul responds to criticism
Governor Hochul says she doesn't lose sleep over others' debates after Democratic candidate Cait Conley agreed with Republican Mike Lawler.

> I really don’t lose a lot of sleep over other people’s debates
## Lawler's video claim
Lawler told attendees at a VFW forum in Putnam County on October 13 that Hochul has to go.

> We need a new governor. Kathy Hochul has to go
## Conley's agreement
Conley said she's in absolute agreement with Lawler before criticizing New York's business climate.

> I'm in absolute agreement with Lawler
## Hochul's defense
Hochul claims Conley clarified the video moment and says she wants her candidates to win.

> I want my candidates to win, and that’s all I’m going to say about it
## Key takeaway

Governor Hochul says Democratic candidate Conley agreed with Republican Lawler that she should leave office after video showed Lawler calling her out.