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President Donald Trump endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for governor of New York on Saturday, just one day after Representative Elise Stefanik withdrew from the race, significantly reshaping the Republican field in the traditionally Democratic state.
In a lengthy statement posted on Truth Social, Trump described Blakeman as “highly respected and very popular,” praising his record on immigration enforcement, public safety, and economic issues in Nassau County, New York’s largest suburban area.
“Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” Trump wrote, emphasizing Blakeman’s loyalty. The endorsement highlights the president’s growing influence in state-level Republican politics beyond traditional GOP strongholds.
According to exclusive reporting from Fox News Digital, Stefanik’s surprise exit from the race was driven partly by concerns over Trump’s lack of a clear commitment to backing her candidacy. Stefanik, a close Trump ally and member of House GOP leadership, had been widely considered the frontrunner among potential Republican candidates for the 2026 gubernatorial race.
Blakeman quickly embraced the presidential endorsement, aligning himself closely with Trump’s policy agenda. “I am blessed and grateful to have the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump,” Blakeman said in a statement. “President Trump is driving down gasoline prices and slashing the cost of prescription drugs. Securing our borders has made America safer. President Trump loves New York and we will be partners in making New York safe and affordable.”
Since taking office as Nassau County Executive, Blakeman has positioned himself as a tough-on-crime leader and vocal critic of New York’s immigration and criminal justice policies. His approach has gained traction in the suburban county despite the state’s overall Democratic leanings.
Trump’s endorsement message framed Blakeman’s candidacy around core Republican issues, particularly border security and crime – themes that have helped Republicans make inroads in traditionally blue states. “As Nassau County Executive, he is working tirelessly with the Brave Heroes of ICE, Border Patrol, and Law Enforcement to Keep Our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Community, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER,” Trump noted.
The former president also characterized Blakeman’s potential governorship as part of a broader effort to reclaim what he described as “the ONCE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK (IT CAN BE GREAT AGAIN!),” suggesting New York has declined under Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership.
Trump outlined Blakeman’s future agenda as governor, stating he “will continue to fight hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes, and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
The endorsement comes at a critical juncture in New York politics. While Democrats maintain control of the governor’s mansion and most statewide offices, Republicans have made gains in suburban areas like Long Island. In the November elections, Republicans managed to flip several congressional seats in New York, contributing to their narrow House majority.
Political analysts note that Blakeman faces significant challenges in a statewide race. New York hasn’t elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won his third term in 2002. However, with crime and economic concerns ranking high among voter priorities, Republicans see an opportunity to make the race competitive.
Stefanik, who announced Friday she would not enter the governor’s race and would instead seek reelection to Congress, has not yet commented on Trump’s endorsement of Blakeman.
The New York gubernatorial election will be held in 2026, giving Blakeman nearly two years to build his campaign organization and raise funds for what will likely be an expensive and challenging race against Governor Hochul or another Democratic nominee.
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7 Comments
This is a significant development in the NY governor’s race. Trump’s endorsement of Blakeman is sure to stir up the Republican base. I’ll be interested to see how Blakeman’s policy positions on issues like energy and mining unfold as the campaign progresses.
Trump’s endorsement of Blakeman is a bold move that could reshape the NY governor’s race. I’ll be watching closely to see how Blakeman capitalizes on this high-profile support and how it plays out with voters. Lots of moving pieces in this evolving story.
Blakeman must be feeling quite emboldened by Trump’s backing. As an investor, I’m curious to hear others’ perspectives on how this could impact the mining and energy landscape in NY if Blakeman were to win. The political dynamics are certainly intriguing.
Interesting development in the NY governor race. Trump’s endorsement will carry a lot of weight with the Republican base. Blakeman’s ‘MAGA’ credentials and record in Nassau County could resonate with voters. I wonder how this will impact the overall race and Stefanik’s future ambitions.
Trump’s backing of Blakeman is not surprising given their close alignment. It will be important to see how Blakeman positions himself and his campaign moving forward. The dynamics of this race could shift significantly with the former president’s influence at play.
Curious to hear thoughts from fellow investors on how Blakeman’s potential governorship could affect the mining, metals, and energy sectors in NY. Trump’s endorsement adds an interesting wrinkle to this race. I’ll be closely following how it all unfolds.
As an energy and commodities investor, I’m curious to see how Blakeman’s policy positions could impact the mining, metals, and related sectors if he were elected. Any insights there would be appreciated. The political landscape in NY continues to be quite fluid.