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Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for New York governor in the upcoming election, just one day after Rep. Elise Stefanik suspended her gubernatorial campaign. The announcement, made on Trump’s Truth Social platform Saturday, positions Blakeman as the likely Republican nominee to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in November 2025.
“Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” Trump wrote in his endorsement post, signaling his strong support for the Long Island politician.
Stefanik, one of Trump’s most loyal congressional allies, announced Friday that she was suspending her campaign for governor and would not seek reelection to Congress. Her decision appears aimed at avoiding what she described as an “unnecessary and protracted Republican primary” within the party.
The timing of Stefanik’s withdrawal is notable, coming just days after Blakeman formally entered the race. The development marks a significant shift in New York’s political landscape, as many observers had anticipated a competitive primary between the two Republican candidates.
Trump’s endorsement of Blakeman follows a more neutral stance earlier in the week. When asked Monday about the potential primary between Blakeman and Stefanik, Trump declined to take sides, telling reporters, “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people.”
Blakeman, who currently serves as the executive of Nassau County, has built his political profile by embracing conservative policies that align with Trump’s agenda. He has gained national attention for implementing controversial measures, including a ban on transgender athletes from using county sports facilities, which has drawn both praise from conservatives and criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates.
The Nassau County executive has also established himself as a hardliner on immigration issues, creating a volunteer law enforcement unit that critics have characterized as a militia. He has directed county detectives to collaborate with federal authorities on immigration enforcement, echoing Trump’s restrictive approach to border security.
These policy positions likely contributed to Trump’s decision to endorse Blakeman, as they reflect the former president’s own priorities and appeal to his base of supporters in New York.
The Hochul campaign quickly responded to Trump’s endorsement, attempting to frame it as a liability rather than an asset in a state that has traditionally leaned Democratic in statewide elections. “Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman for one reason: he’ll put Trump first, New York last, and leave families to foot the bill,” said Hochul campaign communications director Sarafina Chitika.
Stefanik’s political future remains uncertain following her decision to withdraw from both the gubernatorial race and her congressional reelection campaign. The congresswoman was recently considered by Trump as a potential ambassador to the United Nations, but the nomination was withdrawn due to concerns about further reducing the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
With Trump’s endorsement, Blakeman now appears positioned to secure the Republican nomination without facing significant primary opposition. This allows him to focus his resources and messaging on the general election campaign against Governor Hochul, who is seeking her first full elected term after assuming office following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021.
The development represents another example of Trump’s continued influence within the Republican Party as he seeks to shape races across the country ahead of the 2024 elections and beyond.
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10 Comments
Trump’s endorsement of Blakeman is a clear effort to rally the MAGA faction of the GOP in NY. But the governor’s race will likely come down to which candidate can appeal to a wider range of voters, not just the Trump diehards.
That’s a good point. Hochul will be a formidable opponent, and Blakeman will need to demonstrate he can reach beyond the hard-line Trump supporters to have a shot at winning.
Trump endorsing a county executive for NY governor is an interesting move. Blakeman doesn’t have the same profile as Stefanik, but the MAGA backing could boost his campaign. I’m curious to see how this develops.
Absolutely, the Trump factor will be a key dynamic. Blakeman will need to demonstrate he can appeal beyond the MAGA base to have a shot at beating Hochul.
This is a significant shift in the NY political landscape. Stefanik was seen as a rising Republican star, so her withdrawal is surprising. It will be intriguing to see if Blakeman can capitalize on Trump’s endorsement.
Agreed, Stefanik’s exit opens up the field. Blakeman will need to prove he can build a broader coalition beyond just Trump’s base to have a chance against the incumbent Hochul.
Interesting to see Trump’s endorsement of the county executive just after Stefanik dropped out. Looks like he’s trying to rally the MAGA base behind Blakeman as the GOP nominee. Wonder how this will play out in the general election.
It will definitely be a closely watched race. Stefanik’s exit and Trump’s backing of Blakeman shakes things up in the NY governor’s race.
The timing of Stefanik’s withdrawal is curious, coming right after Blakeman entered the race. Looks like the GOP is trying to avoid an intraparty battle and rally behind a single candidate to challenge Hochul.
Agreed, it seems the party is trying to coalesce around Blakeman as the standard bearer. Will be interesting to see how his campaign message and Trump’s support resonate with voters.