Debra Messing endorses Republican Bruce Blakeman over Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York governor’s race
by The Washington Times AI News Desk · The Washington TimesActress Debra Messing has endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman over Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York’s race for governor, a break from her record of backing Democrats that drew a pointed reaction Monday from Meghan McCain, a Republican.
Ms. Messing spoke at a Thursday fundraiser for Mr. Blakeman in Manhattan hosted by dietitian Tanya Zuckerbrot, the New York Post reported. Fox News reported her praise for Mr. Blakeman in a video shared on Instagram, in which she told the Nassau County executive, “You are what we need more than anything.”
The New York native cited affordability, congestion pricing and rising utility costs as the reasons for her shift. She described the city’s decline over the past four years as devastating economically and socially and said businesses and residents are leaving. Ms. Messing told Mr. Blakeman she was born in New York and no longer loves it the way she once did, and she called him the affordable candidate, saying residents are struggling with utility bills and congestion charges.
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Ms. Messing has campaigned for Democrats in the past, including Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Cynthia Nixon’s 2018 bid for governor. She has also publicly clashed with President Trump, who has endorsed Mr. Blakeman.
Mr. Blakeman is the Republican nominee for governor in the 2026 election. He is challenging Ms. Hochul with affordability, taxes, crime and immigration at the center of his campaign.
The endorsement quickly drew attention on social media. Ms. McCain responded on X to the Post’s report of the endorsement, writing that Ms. Messing used to lash out at her on social media almost daily over her being a Republican.
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