Nassau Exec Bruce Blakeman launches run for New York governor [View all]

Source: WABC-TV New York, NY

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 7:32AM


NEW YORK (WABC) -- Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has officially entered the race for New York governor, releasing a campaign ad that highlights his public service record. "We need a strong executive. Like President Trump, Bruce Blakeman is a leader who can make the tough choices to get things down and defeat Hochul," the ad says.

Blakeman will face Rep. Elise Stefanik in a primary that state Republican Party leaders have said they do not want. They are both aiming to unseat Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul next November. "It makes it much more entertaining for me," Hochul initially reacted when asked about a Republican primary standoff.

A Hochul campaign spokesperson called the Nassau County Executive "Bootlicker Bruce Blakeman" and said he "raised costs on New Yorkers and cheered on Trump's tariffs like the MAGA fanboy he is -- flying all the way to D.C. to applaud higher prices. He gushed that Trump is doing an 'amazing job' by gutting Medicaid and jacking up costs. We're not about to let him turn the governor's mansion into Mar-a-Lago North."

Both Blakeman and Stefanik will be vying for the support of President Donald Trump. Asked which he would support in a gubernatorial primary, Trump called Blakeman and Stefanik "great people."

Read more: https://abc7ny.com/post/nassau-county-executive-bruce-blakeman-expected-enter-race-ny-governor-primary-elise-stefanik/18266814/