Bruce Blakeman announces run for New York governor, challenging Elise Stefanik in Republican primary

[ad_1] Republican Bruce Blakeman is formally coming into the race for New York governor . The Nassau County government formally launched his 2026 marketing campaign with a video message early Tuesday morning.

"I need to replicate what we did in Nassau County. We made Nassau County the most secure county in America. The poverty price is the bottom in all of New York State," Blakeman added in a morning interview on Fox 5. "I have never raised taxes a penny in 4 years."

The announcement comes contemporary off Blakeman's commanding reelection victory final month on Lengthy Island, profitable a Democratic county by 12%.

His entry into the race units up a major problem towards upstate Congresswoman Elise Stefanik , a rising determine within the Republican celebration and main supporter of President Trump.

Whoever earns the GOP nomination would tackle the winner of the Democratic major between incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, who's searching for reelection to a second full time period, and her personal Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado .

The first is ready for June 23, 2026, adopted by the overall election on Nov. 3, 2026.

Stefanik, Hochul react to Blakeman becoming a member of N.Y. governor race Republicans, who see Hochul as susceptible, had been hoping to keep away from a major, which is pricey and may take focus away from the governor's file.

Stefanik's spokesperson slammed Blakeman for stepping into the race, saying, "Bruce Blakeman is an early Christmas current to Kathy Hochul as he works to blow Republicans' greatest likelihood to win."

A spokesperson for group Hochul did the identical, saying, "Bootlicker Bruce Blakeman has misplaced nearly each race he is touched - county legislator, comptroller, Congress, even U.S. Senate. There is a cause: similar to Donald Trump, he takes cash out of New Yorkers' pockets and squeezes working households at each flip."

Blakeman is undaunted that state celebration Chairman Ed Cox and others are within the Stefanik camp.

"He does not converse for all Republicans in New York State. He is the state chairman," Blakeman stated. "To start with, I've a a a lot stronger group than the state group in Nassau County. We raised about $7 million final 12 months for our candidates. I feel New York State GOP raised about $300,000."

Legislation professor J.C. Polanco stated Stefanik is a rockstar within the celebration, and Blakeman can have his work lower out for him within the major.

"He is a really eloquent New York Republican type of man. Can he survive a major towards a MAGA juggernaut? Solely time will inform," stated Polanco.

Trump says Blakeman and Stefanik are "each nice folks" Blakeman and Stefanik may even must court docket the president, who, thus far, has refused to place his thumb on the size, calling them each nice folks.

"We'll give it some thought, however he is nice and he or she's nice. They're each nice folks. We have now lots of nice folks with the Republican celebration," Mr. Trump stated Monday, when requested if he could be giving an endorsement within the race.

Consultants say the president may resolve to play one other position by urging one of many candidates to again out so as to give the celebration a greater likelihood towards Hochul.

Blakeman has gained a nationwide profile for his conservative stance, which has energized his GOP base. Points that helped propel him to victory in November had been his stances on, amongst others, Immigration and Customs Enforcement , transgender athlete bans and opioid settlement cash.