Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (left) and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik. 

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is preparing to launch a campaign for New York governor, POLITICO reports.

The announcement is expected as early as Tuesday, Dec. 9, setting up a high-profile Republican primary against Rep. Elise Stefanik, according to the outlet.

Blakeman, a longtime President Donald Trump ally who won reelection last month, has said Trump has not discouraged him from pursuing statewide office. When asked Monday about Blakeman and Stefanik, Trump told reporters, “He’s great and she’s great. They’re both great people.”

Hochul responded to the prospect of a Republican primary by welcoming the infighting. “If there’s a Republican primary, it makes it much more entertaining for me,” she said. “Let them go at it. Let’s see how they out-MAGA each other.”

Stefanik, who formally entered the race in November, faces a steep polling gap. A Siena University survey last month showed Hochul leading her 52 percent to 27 percent. Hochul also faces a Democratic primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.

Blakeman has twice won a purple county where Democrats outnumber Republicans and has embraced hardline conservative positions on immigration enforcement, transgender athletes, and public masking policies.

This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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