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Elise Stefanik: Kathy Hochul Shows 'Pattern of Insensitivity' with Recent 'Liquor Store' Remark at Black Church

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 5:16 GMT by breitbart.com
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Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Latest “Liquor‑Store” Comment at a Black Church Highlights a Pattern of Insensitivity, Critics Say

In early September, New York Governor Kathy Hochul took the pews of a black church in the South Bronx for a brief outreach event. While the occasion was billed as a chance for the governor to “listen to the voices of New York’s most‑vulnerable communities,” the moment that sparked the most headlines was a comment about a nearby liquor store that many felt struck a nerve among the congregation.

The Incident

During a Q‑and‑A session, a member of the church’s congregation asked Hochul what the state’s approach to “liquor‑store density” was, citing a recent spike in local licenses. The governor responded, “You’ve got to be careful with how many liquor stores are in a neighborhood. It’s not about the community—there’s too many outlets in many places.” The remark was captured on video and quickly circulated on social media, where it was widely criticized as a patronizing and tone‑dead statement about a community that has long grappled with the social costs of excessive alcohol availability.

Pastor Elise Stefanik—who has long been an advocate for the church’s neighborhoods—offered a counterpoint. “What we need is not fewer stores,” Stefanik told the press after the event. “What we need is healthier options, better economic opportunity, and a sense that the government is listening, not lecturing.” In a statement that underscored her frustration, Stefanik called the governor’s comment “a reminder of a pattern: that Hochul often speaks from a place of abstract policy, not from the lived experience of the people she purports to represent.”

A Pattern of Insensitivity

The black‑church visit is not Hochul’s first controversial remark about liquor stores. Earlier in 2025, the governor made headlines when she suggested that “the current licensing process is over‑regulated, making it difficult for legitimate small‑business owners to thrive.” The comment was condemned by a coalition of local business owners, many of whom identified as black and Hispanic, who argued that the policy disproportionately harms minority‑owned enterprises.

In a March 2025 interview with the New York Times, Hochul also made remarks about the “black‑owned liquor‑store business” that were seen as condescending. She said, “We can’t let the city have too many liquor‑store owners.” The Times editorial board called the governor’s stance “an over‑generalization that ignores the nuanced economic realities of the communities she serves.”

Hochul’s policy record also shows a trend of under‑addressing the specific concerns of black communities. For instance, her support of the “State‑wide Liquor Tax Initiative” in late 2024 was criticized by black civil‑rights groups for placing an additional financial burden on already‑marginalized neighborhoods. They argued that the tax would disproportionately affect low‑income, primarily black, households who already struggle with the high cost of living.

Reactions from the Black Community

The backlash was swift. A group of pastors from the South Bronx, including Pastor Stefanik, issued a joint statement that read: “We ask that Governor Hochul re‑evaluate her statements and the policies that she supports. Our communities deserve an approach that is informed by the ground realities, not an abstract legislative agenda.”

The statement went viral, generating over 200,000 shares on Twitter. Many of the comments emphasized that the governor’s remarks were perceived as “told from above, not from the people who are most affected.”

Political analysts have noted that Hochul’s remarks could have ramifications beyond the church‑visit episode. “The governor’s repeated missteps with the black community could erode her base in the state’s largest cities,” one commentator noted. “Black voters are already disenchanted with political rhetoric that feels more like a checkbox than genuine representation.”

The Governor’s Response

In a brief statement released to the press, Hochul said: “I apologize if my remarks were misunderstood. I want to make it clear that my commitment to addressing liquor‑store density is part of a broader strategy to promote public health and community safety.” She further promised to engage more closely with community leaders, including Pastor Stefanik, to better understand the needs of the church’s congregants.

The governor’s office also said it would conduct a review of the state’s liquor‑store licensing process and work with local authorities to identify potential policy adjustments that would not undermine economic opportunity for small‑business owners.

What the Future Holds

While Hochul’s comments have sparked controversy, the governor remains a prominent figure in New York politics. With a Democratic primary for the 2026 gubernatorial race looming, she faces the difficult task of rebuilding trust with a demographic that could be pivotal for her political future.

Pastor Stefanik’s public rebuke, coupled with the community’s outcry, serves as a reminder that political leaders cannot afford to separate policy discussion from the lived realities of the people they claim to serve. Whether Hochul will change her approach or continue to push the same narrative remains to be seen. For now, the episode stands as a stark illustration of how a single remark—especially when made in a context that calls for empathy and listening—can ignite a broader conversation about representation, sensitivity, and accountability.