WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — On Saturday, President Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman, the Republican executive of Nassau County, in the upcoming New York gubernatorial race. This endorsement follows the announcement by Rep. Elise Stefanik, a long-time ally of Trump, that she is suspending her candidacy for the governorship, as well as her plan to seek re-election to Congress.
Trump's endorsement comes as no surprise, as it may bolster Blakeman’s position in the GOP primary, potentially minimizing competition as he prepares for a contest against incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. Trump expressed his strong support for Blakeman, stating, "Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning," in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The political landscape shifted significantly when Stefanik announced her decision to withdraw from the gubernatorial race on Friday. In her statement, she cited a desire to avoid a "needless and prolonged Republican primary" as the reason for her decision. This development leaves Blakeman with a clearer path to securing the GOP nomination. The competition between Stefanik and Blakeman had been anticipated to be intense, given their respective ties and standing within the party.
Elise Stefanik has consistently aligned herself with Trump, even having been nominated by him to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a nomination he later retracted due to concerns regarding the impact on the GOP's fragile majority in the House of Representatives. Stefanik made her announcement shortly after Blakeman formally declared his candidacy for governor.
Initially, Trump refrained from taking sides when asked about the primary race and both candidates, remarking, "He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people." This statement hinted at the complex dynamics within the party, especially with Trump’s influence in New York political affairs becoming more pronounced.
Blakeman, who has garnered attention as the executive of Nassau County, is known for his controversial policies, which include a ban on transgender athletes using county sports facilities. Critics label his establishment of a volunteer law enforcement unit as a "militia," raising concerns about public safety and governance. Additionally, Blakeman has taken steps to direct county detectives to collaborate with federal authorities in the execution of Trump’s immigration policies, positioning himself as a staunch representative of Trump's agenda.
In response to Trump's endorsement, Hochul's campaign has suggested that voters in New York may view Blakeman’s alignment with Trump negatively. Sarafina Chitika, communications director for the Hochul campaign, articulated that "Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman for one reason: he’ll put Trump first, New York last, and leave families to foot the bill." This remark underscores the ongoing tensions between the Democrats and Republicans as the gubernatorial race heats up.
Overall, the dynamics of the New York gubernatorial race are shifting, with Trump's endorsement likely enhancing Blakeman's standing among Republican voters. With Stefanik stepping back and political differences simmering, the contest between Blakeman and Hochul is shaping up to be a crucial contest in the state’s political landscape.
