Republican Bruce Blakeman announces run for New York governor
by Lisa Hornung · UPIDec. 9 (UPI) -- A Republican county executive from Nassau County announced his bid for governor of New York Tuesday.
Bruce Blakeman's run for governor will see him face U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., in the primary. Both candidates are allies of President Donald Trump. The winner of the primary likely would face Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, who has announced she will run again.
"It is official. I am running for Governor of New York," Blakeman posted on X. "Our state is struggling with high taxes, rising utility bills, and rising crime. New Yorkers deserve a proven leader who will Put New York First. As Nassau County Executive I delivered results: Safest county in America, No sanctuary policies, No tax increases, Balanced budgets, Protecting girls sports. New York needs leadership that works. I am ready to take on Kathy Hochul and fight for our families."
Nassau County, which is on Long Island, has some of the highest-priced real estate in the world. The median home price is $870,000, according to Realtor.com.
In his announcement video, he went after Hochul.
"For too long, Albany has been controlled by one party -- the Democrats. We need a strong Republican, one who will take the fight to Hochul and her liberal policies that are causing taxes, utility bills and crime to soar," the narrator said in the video.
Blakeman went on Fox News Tuesday morning to announce his candidacy.
"We want to put New York first. We want to make it more affordable. We want to make New York safer, and we want to make people in New York happy again," Blakeman said.
Stefanik campaign spokesperson Bernadette Breslin said in a statement that Blakeman is "an early Christmas present for Hochul."
"Elise is the strongest candidate against Kathy Hochul by a long shot. Elise has outrun President Trump on the ballot by more than any Republican in New York State including Bruce," Breslin wrote. "Elise has led the most effective attacks on the Worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul as Bruce Blakeman has worked overtime to torpedo fellow Republicans."
On Monday, Trump was asked if he would make an endorsement in the campaign. He told reporters, "I'll think about it. But he's great. And she's great. They're both great people. We have a lot of great people in the Republican Party."
Blakeman didn't seem worried about Trump's refusal to endorse him.
"Well, I don't think the president has to make a decision now -- let's see how it plays out," he said.
Hochul posted on X: "Bruce Blakeman is another MAGA cheerleader running to do Donald Trump's bidding in New York -- and raise your costs. Not on my watch."
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