Hochul claps back at congressman's criticism

And families of nursing home residents killed by COVID-19 have a new request.

Good afternoon — it’s Tuesday and National Cake Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• Hochul doesn’t care that Rep. Ritchie Torres thinks she’s “the new Joe Biden” and says he doesn’t have his priorities straight.

• Families of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 want to meet with a consulting firm hired by New York to review the state’s handling of the pandemic.

• How much did this year’s elections cost counties? The number is not small.

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❗ CapCon Note: Hey, all. I just wanted to give you a heads up that CapCon will be taking a brief break Thursday and Friday. I will be in a food coma and hope the same for you. CapCon will also be brief today and tomorrow in case you’re traveling.

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Hochul in August (Will Waldron/Times Union)

🗣️ Hochul: “I actually don’t care” what Ritchie Torres is doing

There’s been quite a bit of talk over the last few days about a possible primary challenge against Gov. Kathy Hochul by Rep. Ritchie Torres, who represents part of the Bronx.

Torres said this week that Hochul “is the new Joe Biden” and “may be in denial about the depth of her vulnerabilities as a Democratic nominee.”

In-fighting between Democrats in New York is nothing new. We see it play out all the time. But Torres is the first Democrat who’s said he’s seriously considering a run against her in 2026.

Hochul isn’t someone who publicly denounces others unless there’s a serious finding of wrongdoing. She doesn’t “negotiate in public” on policy matters on which she disagrees with the state Legislature. And she’s said she’s not bothered by her low favorability numbers.

So when Hochul claps back, she wants you to notice.

“I actually don’t care what he’s doing,” Hochul told reporters Tuesday in response to Torres’ potential run for governor in 2026.