Long Island’s Bruce Blakeman is running for governor, will challenge Stefanik in Republican primary

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman entered New York’s gubernatorial race on Tuesday, setting the stage for what promises to be a contentious Republican primary against U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, a close ally of former President Donald Trump.

Blakeman announced his candidacy during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” where he sharply criticized incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul as a “failure” and outlined his vision for the state. “I’m running for office to make people more prosperous, to make them safer and to make New Yorkers happy again,” Blakeman stated.

The Nassau County executive has positioned himself as a conservative counterweight to what he characterizes as liberal excesses from New York City Democrats. Under his leadership, Nassau County has implemented several controversial policies that have resonated with conservative voters, including banning transgender athletes from using county sports facilities and prohibiting face masks in public except for health or religious reasons – a measure critics argue targets pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Blakeman has also established a volunteer law enforcement unit that opponents have described as a militia and directed county detectives to collaborate with federal authorities on immigration enforcement, aligning with Trump’s hardline stance on border security.

His entry into the race creates a potentially divisive primary battle within the Republican Party. Stefanik, a conservative from upstate New York, was recently considered by Trump for the position of U.N. ambassador before the nomination was withdrawn over concerns about maintaining the slim Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

Trump has thus far remained neutral, telling reporters this week: “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people.” However, Stefanik’s campaign immediately went on the offensive, characterizing Blakeman as a weak candidate with a history of “supporting corrupt Far Left Democrats” and claiming his candidacy amounts to “an early Christmas present to Kathy Hochul.”

Despite Republicans’ enthusiasm, they face significant electoral challenges in New York, where registered Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans statewide. However, political analysts note that Nassau County, with its 1.4 million residents just east of New York City, represents an interesting political barometer. While registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in the county, voters there narrowly supported Trump over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, suggesting potential vulnerability for Democrats in suburban areas.

Blakeman, Nassau’s first Jewish county executive, won re-election to a second term in November. His political career includes service on the Hempstead Town Council and as commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. However, his attempts at higher office have been unsuccessful, a point Hochul’s campaign emphasized in their response to his announcement.

“Blakeman has lost just about every race he’s touched — county legislator, comptroller, Congress, even U.S. Senate,” Hochul’s campaign stated. “There’s a reason: just like Donald Trump, he takes money out of New Yorkers’ pockets and squeezes working families at every turn.”

Both Blakeman and Stefanik are attempting to position themselves as candidates who can appeal to moderate Democrats while maintaining their conservative credentials. They have also drawn contrasts between themselves and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, while simultaneously adopting some of his messaging around affordability as a campaign issue.

The gubernatorial race in New York is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in the 2026 election cycle. Hochul, a moderate Democrat who became governor following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, is facing her own primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado.

Republicans haven’t held the governor’s mansion in New York for two decades, with former Governor George Pataki being the last Republican to serve in that capacity. The party sees the current political climate and voters’ concerns about crime, immigration, and economic issues as potential openings to end their long drought in statewide elections.