Power & Politics

New York 19th Congressional District Representative Josh Riley (D) discusses his bid for reelection. He's being challenged by Republican New York State Senator Peter Oberacker. 00:17 Riley’s case for re-election 01:48 Bipartisanship and legislation 03:50 Tackling high utility bills 09:15 Iran war, fertilizer prices, and farmers 11:19 Immigration and the agricultural workforce 13:36 Rural healthcare and local investments 16:34 Cornell allegations and campus safety

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New York State Senator Peter Oberacker (R), who represents New York's 51st Senate District, is challenging incumbent Democrat Josh Riley in New York's 19th Congressional District. 00:20 Why Oberacker is running for Congress 01:37 Working across the aisle in the State Senate 02:35 Priorities for New York’s 19th District 04:59 Utility costs and New York’s energy policy 07:26 War, fuel prices, and domestic refining 08:50 Immigration and farm labor 10:00 Rural health care and school-based health centers 11:59 Cornell investigation: federal or local response? 13:39 Congressional priorities and preferred committees

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NYS Senate District 44 nominee Sarah Rogerson speaks with CBS6's Tom Eschen on Power & Politics. Rogerson is a public interest attorney and immigration law expert, discussing her campaign. She provides her perspective and ideas on utility costs, State spending, immigration enforcement and more. 00:00 — Sarah Rogerson on Why She’s Running 00:25 — Affordability and State Aid for Local Governments 01:50 — Healthcare Costs, Oversight, and Economic Growth 03:16 — Utility Rates and Modernizing the Power Grid 04:56 — Balancing Climate Goals 08:11 — Data Centers, AI, and Responsible Development 09:28 — Immigration, Constitutional Rights, and Public Safety 13:23 — Progressive Taxes and the Upstate Perspective 15:22 — Horse-Track Safety and State Oversight 16:31 — Day-One Priority: Medical Non-Compete ProtectionsRogerson is facing incumbent Jim Tedisco in this year's election, CBS6 hopes to speak with him prior to Election Day.

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With Midterm Elections days away, an Election-themed episode of Power & Politics. Producer Olivia Holloway's Headlines break down interviews with Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman and the candidates in the AGs race. New polling is discussed and JD Vance coming to Upstate New York to stump for NY-21 GOP Candidate Anthony Constantino.

Tom Eschen interviews candidates Bruce Blakeman, Letitia James, Saritha Komatireddy. Then he speaks with Cultivated Media's Jeremy Berke on Question 8 on the Massachusetts ballot, which would repeal the legalization of marijuana.

• 00:00 Welcome and Election-Themed Show Preview
• 01:38 Election Headlines and Governor’s Race Polling
• 06:12 New York’s 21st District and Alaska Senate Race
• 14:17 Interview: Bruce Blakeman on His Campaign Priorities
• 25:25 Interview: Letitia James on Her Record as Attorney General
• 33:00 Interview: Saritha Komatireddy on Public Safety, Bail Reform, and the Attorney General’s Role
• 55:08 Interview: Jeremy Berke on Massachusetts Question 8

• 1:17:11 Power & Pop Culture, Rapper Rankings, and Closing Remarks

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NYS Attorney General Letitia James, who has been in office since 2019, discusses her reelection campaign. She speaks with CBS6's Tom Eschen about a variety of topics in the AG's race, of which she is being challenged by GOP nominee Saritha Komatireddy. This interview includes James addressing accusations she's "politicizing" her office, questions about Medicaid oversight along with James' assessment of criminal justice reform laws, 7 years following their passage.

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Meghan Cook, who took the role of New York State Chief Cyber Officer a few weeks ago, sits down with CBS6's Tom Eschen to discuss her role in ensuring the cybersecurity of State agencies and municipalities alike. 00:00 New York State’s Cybersecurity Strategy 03:02 Essential Cybersecurity Practices 06:15 Building Organizational Resilience 09:00 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Red-Team Testing 10:59 Supporting Schools and Local Governments 13:55 AI in Cybersecurity 16:17 Why Cybersecurity Matters

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Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, is the GOP Nominee for NYS Attorney General, and sits down with CBS6's Tom Eschen. Komatireddy discusses her approach to public safety and accountability, bail reform, involuntary commitment and fraud investigations. 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Her concerns about crime and public safety 03:59 Proposed approach to repeat offenders and bail reform 07:15 Immigration enforcement and local-federal cooperation 09:54 Responding to claims about political independence 11:05 When she would sue the federal government 12:11 Homelessness, mental health, and treatment centers 16:26 Prediction markets and gambling law 17:06 Body-armor law ruling 17:30 What she learned campaigning across New York 19:23 Medicaid, government, and consumer fraud

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Nassau County Executive and GOP nominee for New York State Governor Bruce Blakeman speaks with CBS6's Tom Eschen about his campaign. The conversation spans from utility costs, spending policy proposals, Sanctuary policies, and President Donald Trump

00:00 — Introduction: Bruce Blakeman on the 2026 New York governor’s race

00:20 — Blakeman’s campaign travels

01:16 — His plan to end state funding for asylum seekers

02:33 — State spending and education reform

03:59 — Proposal for statewide childcare benefits for working parents

05:15 — Budget priorities and tax policy

06:06 — Energy costs and Blakeman’s case for natural gas

07:18 — Fracking, environmental concerns, and grid reliability

09:07 — Blakeman’s relationship with President Trump

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Melissa Seale, the Democratic nominee for NYS Senate District 45 joins CBS6’s Tom Eschen to discuss the plans for one of the largest legislative districts in the state. She brings years of experience as a psychiatric nurse practitioner to the race, as healthcare costs remain a top concern for voters.

00:00 Introduction 00:25 Melissa Seale’s background and why she’s running 01:24 Healthcare spending, Medicaid oversight, and North Country funding 02:02 A “people over party” approach 02:45 The New York Health Act 03:47 Responding to concerns about healthcare costs 04:36 Utility bills, rate hikes, and energy policy 06:26 Natural gas and energy options for the North Country 06:55 Solar development, farmland, and wildlife 07:57 Data center moratorium 08:32 HALT Act and correctional facilities 09:41 Corrections officer staffing and prison conditions 10:56 Local law enforcement and ICE 13:33 Closing message to voters

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State Senator Dan Stec sits down with CBS6’s Tom Eschen to make his pitch for reelection in the race for District 45. In the interview, Stec breaks down his policy proposals for what he says will lower energy prices for New Yorkers along with other campaign promises. 00:00 Introduction and reelection priorities 00:29 Energy affordability and the CLCPA 04:37 Natural gas and the energy transition 06:08 Nuclear power and local control 07:13 Data centers and the proposed moratorium 09:57 Local law enforcement and the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act 12:19 Representation and legislative record 13:45 Corrections, prison safety, and body scanners

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This week's Holloway's Headlines from producer Olivia Holloway include: City of Albany Common Council's passage of a Commuter Tax, Vivek Ramaswamy's attack ad against Amy Acton, Governor Hochul's recent childcare initiatives and opponent Bruce Blakeman's reaction

Tom Eschen sits down with Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox and Anti-Violence Coordinator Shaquana Kakumba discussing juvenile crime statistics, resources and outreach programs.

Power & Pop Culture discusses the Victoria Secret Fashion Show and Tom's Marathon

00:00 Holloway's Headlines: Albany’s commuter tax debate
09:38 Holloway's Headlines: Ohio campaign ad controversy
12:46 Holloway's Headlines: New York childcare proposals
14:26 Holloway's Headlines: Congressional debate breakdown
18:08 Interview: Albany youth crime and arrest trends
26:53 Interview: Family support, truancy, and youth programs
34:53 Interview: Social media and youth violence
40:14 Interview: Prevention, police staffing, and measuring progress
47:26 Power & Pop Culture: Victoria’s Secret fashion show
51:58 Power & Pop Culture: Marathon running and training

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CBS6 hosts a special presentation of New York's 20th Congressional District Debate between Democratic incumbent Paul Tonko and Republican nominee Ralph Ambrosio. Moderated by Tom Eschen.

• 00:09 — Opening and Candidate Introductions
• 01:16 — Opening Statements
• 04:18 — Pandemic Relief, Municipal Budgets, and Oversight
• 09:18 — Healthcare and Energy Affordability
• 13:29 — Tariffs, Trade, and Inflation
• 18:54 — When Should the War in Iran End?
• 23:04 — Debate Resumes: Public Safety
• 27:57 — Artificial Intelligence and Regulation
• 33:41 — Impeachment and the Proposed $5,000 Payment
• 35:34 — National Debt and Democratic Socialism
• 38:38 — Russia Sanctions and U.S. Energy
• 42:23 — Epstein Files and Prosecutions
• 44:13 — Lightning Round
• 45:34 — Closing Statements
• 48:56 — Debate Conclusion

Broadcast live from CBS6 Studios on October 21st, 2026

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Scott Bendett, the Republican incumbent in Assembly District 107, discusses his record and bid for reelection with CBS6's Tom Eschen 00:00 — Scott Bendett’s background and district accomplishments 03:16 — Data center moratorium and energy costs 06:18 — Municipal funding and state spending 10:14 — Wealth, representation, and New York’s tax base 11:22 — 287(g) and immigration enforcement 14:33 — Flock cameras, privacy, and Cornell allegations

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Chloe Pierce speaks with Tom Eschen about her campaign for New York State's Assembly District 107 00:00 Introduction and Candidacy 02:01 Priorities and Affordability 04:18 Taxes, Utilities, and Data Centers 08:12 Public Safety and Policing 11:23 Immigration and Professional Ethics 14:17 Cornell Allegations and Assembly Bill 101A

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CBS6's broadcast of the Senate District 46 Debate between GOP nominee and challenger Martha McHugh and Democratic incumbent Pat Fahy.

Topics included:

-Juvenile Crime

-Utility Costs

-Data Centers

-Flock Safety Cameras

-Fiscally Stressed Municipalities

-287 Agreements and Immigration

-Clean Water

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-GOP strategist and former Schenectady County Legislature Chair Peter Guidarelli breaks down the line Gubernatorial debate between Governor Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman

-Bluejacket Strategies' Morgan Hook provides his perspective on the New York State Gubernatorial debate between Governor Kathy Hochul and County Executive Bruce Blakeman

-Albany Airport CEO Stephen Clark sat down on CBS6's Power & Politics this week, discussing his background, his approach to the role, the ongoing construction project and his vision for the future.

00:00 — Show intro and episode preview
02:37 — Hochul–Blakeman debate breakdown
04:19 — Hochul–Blakeman debate breakdown: Energy costs, climate policy, and the grid
05:22 — Cornell and the involuntary intoxication law
10:00 — Mobile sports betting rules and prediction markets
15:00 — New York City and NYU’s proposed quantum lab
19:45 — Preview: Fahy–McHugh State Senate debate
22:38 — Peter Guidarelli on the Gubernatorial debate
39:02 — Morgan Hook on the race and campaign strategy
59:40 — Albany Airport CEO Stephen Clark interview
1:16:07 — Power & Pop Culture: The Social Reckoning and journalism in film
1:26:24 — Super Bowl halftime show predictions and favorites

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NYS Senator Jake Ashby, a Republican, discusses his run for reelection in New York's 43rd Senate District.

He touches on his campaign, utility costs, "Local Cops, Local Crimes" law, Veterans services and more

• 00:00 Introduction and New York’s energy affordability
• 03:49 Data centers, grid capacity, and local control
• 05:34 287(g) agreements and public safety
• 08:08 Veterans’ services and clinic access
• 10:41 Cornell investigation, state spending, and affordability

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Devin Lander, New York State Historian, speaks with Tom Eschen about his run for New York State Senate District 43.

Lander discusses his platforms on health care, environmental issues, utility costs and Flock cameras.

00:00 — Devin Lander and His Senate Campaign
02:09 — Cost of Living and Healthcare
05:40 — Climate, Energy, and Utility Costs
11:28 — Data Centers, AI, and Public Safety
15:23 — Lander’s Background and Qualifications

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Incumbent Tom DiNapoli (D) is facing GOP Nominee Joseph Hernandez in one of New York's Statewide Elections this year, both joining Power & Politics to discuss their campaigns.

Lee Miringoff spoke with Tom Eschen about the latest Marist Poll.

Power & Politics Producer Olivia Holloway provided this week's Holloway Headlines:

-Budget Deficits

-Cornell latest

-Campaign Developments

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:32 Holloway's Headlines: Albany’s ARPA funding and budget shortfall
• 7:06 Holloway's Headlines: Cornell case and petition to remove the attorney general
• 11:32 Holloway's Headlines: Tom discusses NY-21 forum
• 17:20 Holloway's Headlines: Marist poll and the Governor’s race
• 19:48 Lee Miringoff on Hochul’s lead and voter turnout
• 30:44 Joseph Hernandez on the Comptroller’s race
• 43:50 Tom DiNapoli on the state budget and Medicaid
• 1:00:29 Power & Pop Culture: AI-generated music

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In front of a studio audience inside the CBS6 Television Station, Anthony Constantino, GOP nominee in New York's 21st Congressional District, discusses his campaign, and issues impacting residents. Constantino had agreed to six different dates for debates with Democratic nominee Blake Gendebien, but Gendebien declined the invitation, saying his schedule was full. The forum was moderated by Power & Politics host Tom Eschen.

00:00 Debate introduction and Anthony Constantino’s background
02:43 Canada trade tensions and tariffs on farmers
04:46 Iran, fuel prices, and energy policy
06:46 Fuel costs, farm regulations, and environmental allegations
08:53 Diesel exports and potential steps to lower fuel costs
10:58 Iran conflict and national security
11:37 Rural hospitals, Medicaid, and telehealth
16:22 District priorities: broadband and “Operation Overhaul”
18:36 Controversy over remarks about the Akwesasne community
21:49 Border security and immigration
22:49 Farm labor and the H-2A program
24:14 Fort Drum, veterans, and military families
25:18 Epstein files transparency
26:53 Artificial intelligence in government and society

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