Blakeman Launches Bid For NY Governor, Setting Up GOP Clash With Stefanik

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has officially launched his campaign for New York governor, setting up a high-profile Republican primary fight with Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Blakeman announced his run Tuesday, Dec. 9, releasing a campaign video and posting on X that he plans to “Put New York First” by focusing on public safety, taxes, and utility costs.

“Our state is struggling with high taxes, rising utility bills, and rising crime,” Blakeman wrote. “New Yorkers deserve a proven leader who will put New York first”

Blakeman pointed to his record as Nassau County executive, including keeping taxes flat, maintaining balanced budgets, and what he calls tough stances on immigration enforcement and policies involving transgender athletes.

He has repeatedly highlighted Nassau’s crime rate, often describing the county as “the safest in America.”

His run sets up a battle with Rep. Elise Stefanik, who launched her gubernatorial campaign in November. Stefanik’s campaign responded to Blakeman’s announcement with a sharp statement, saying “everyone knows Bruce has no shot and is putting his raging ego first and New Yorkers last.”

Both Blakeman and Stefanik are strong allies of President Donald Trump. When asked Monday about the looming primary, Trump sidestepped, saying only, “He’s great and she’s great. They’re both great people.”

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is seeking re-election, welcomed the prospect of a Republican showdown.

“If there’s a Republican primary, it makes it much more entertaining for me,” Hochul said. “Let them go at it. Let’s see how they out-MAGA each other.”

Hochul’s campaign later issued a blistering response to Blakeman’s entry into the race, accusing him of siding with Trump on policies that “raised costs on New Yorkers” and calling him a “MAGA fanboy.”

Blakeman, 70, is a longtime figure in Nassau politics and previously served as a county legislator, Hempstead town councilman, and Port Authority commissioner. He pulled off upset victories in both the 2021 and 2025 county executive races despite Nassau’s large Democratic enrollment advantage.

In his gubernatorial launch, Blakeman framed his campaign around issues that have defined his tenure on Long Island — crime, immigration enforcement, opposition to sanctuary policies, and restrictions on transgender athletes in women’s sports. He argues those issues resonate beyond Nassau County and can guide a statewide campaign.

A November poll conducted by J.L. Partners found that Stefanik trounced Blakeman in a potential Republican primary for governor, with Stefanik capturing 74% of primary voters, compared to Blakeman’s 5%. 

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