Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Nassau executive Bruce Blakeman runs for governor, setting up competitive GOP primary
By
Andrew Giambrone
Published Dec 9, 2025
Modified Dec 9, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Alejandra Villa Loarca / Newsday RM via Getty Images
By
Andrew Giambrone
Published Dec 9, 2025
Modified Dec 9, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman launched his campaign for New York governor Tuesday, spurring a competitive Republican primary in next year's election that party leaders had hoped to avoid.
In a social media post, Blakeman said he is "ready to take on [Gov.] Kathy Hochul and fight for our families."
"Our state is struggling with high taxes, rising utility bills, and rising crime," he tweeted, touting his record on public safety, immigration and taxes in Nassau County. "New Yorkers deserve a proven leader who will Put New York First."
Blakeman joins U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the North Country, in the race. Both candidates are aligned with President Donald Trump. State GOP Party Chair Ed Cox, who has been backing Stefanik for governor, has said he'd like to avoid a primary contest so the party can focus on beating Hochul.
Blakeman has cast himself as the Republican leader of the New York City suburbs that have increasingly embraced Trump since 2016.
Bernadette Breslin, a spokesperson for Stefanik's campaign, said the congressmember "is the strongest candidate against Kathy Hochul by a long shot."
"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," Breslin said in a statement. "Bruce Blakeman is an early Christmas present to Kathy Hochul as he works to blow Republicans' best chance to win."
Cox said Tuesday that Blakeman "is well-liked and respected" within the party, but Stefanik is the GOP's best bet for taking the state Executive Mansion.
"I am confident that coming out of our convention, Elise Stefanik will be our candidate and there will be no primary," Cox said in a statement. "Working together, Republicans will break one-party Democrat rule and end Kathy Hochul's affordability crisis."
Hochul is seeking re-election and facing a Democratic primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado.
"Bruce Blakeman is another MAGA cheerleader running to do Donald Trump’s bidding in New York — and raise your costs," Hochul tweeted alongside a video attacking the Nassau executive Tuesday. "Not on my watch."
Republicans last won a statewide New York race in 2002, when Gov. George Pataki was elected to a third term. But Republican nominee Lee Zeldin’s strong showing against Hochul in the 2022 gubernatorial election, especially on Long Island, has sparked GOP hopes of a comeback in Albany.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Tagged
Bruce Blakeman
Politics
nassau county
new york state
Andrew Giambrone
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .