BREAKING: Republican Bruce Blakeman has officially entered the race for New York governor, launching his campaign for the 2026 election with a compelling video early Tuesday morning. Blakeman, who serves as the two-term executive of Nassau County, is positioning himself as a strong leader ready to bring change to New York.
In his announcement video, Blakeman declares, “Bruce Blakeman for governor: A strong leader with a proven track record of delivering the change we need to put New York first.” This move comes on the heels of his recent reelection victory in November, where he successfully defended his position in Long Island.
Blakeman is now set to challenge upstate Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for the GOP nomination. Stefanik’s campaign wasted no time in criticizing Blakeman, stating, “Even those in Nassau County who are closest to Bruce Blakeman will tell you that everyone knows Bruce has no shot and is putting his raging ego first.” This fiery statement underscores the competitive nature of the Republican primary.
New York has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki secured his third term in 2002. Current Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, is campaigning for a second full term and faces a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. In response to Blakeman’s announcement, Hochul’s campaign released a statement criticizing him, saying, “Bootlicker Bruce Blakeman has lost just about every race he’s touched… just like Donald Trump, he takes money out of New Yorkers’ pockets and squeezes working families at every turn.”
As he enters this high-stakes race, Blakeman has gained a national profile due to his conservative stance, which has energized his GOP base. On social media Monday night, he expressed gratitude towards Donald Trump, who referred to him as “great” in the context of the gubernatorial race. Trump commented, “We’ll think about it, but he’s great and she’s great. They’re both great people.”
Before his recent reelection, there were doubts about Blakeman’s ability to serve out his term. However, political allies view him as a serious contender for the gubernatorial race. “I am going to work very hard to keep taxes down. I haven’t raised taxes one penny in four years,” Blakeman stated during his reelection campaign against Democratic Legislator Seth Koslow.
Key issues that may propel Blakeman’s campaign include his stances on immigration, transgender athlete bans, and the distribution of opioid settlement funds. As the race heats up, all eyes will be on the upcoming Republican primary, where Blakeman aims to position himself as the candidate who can lead New York into a new era.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
