A growing coalition of Queens Republican, Jewish and community leaders is looking to turn grassroots energy into action as the campaign season moves into its critical final stretch before Election Day.
That effort was on full display on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Oasis Cafe in Bayside (196-30 Northern Blvd.), hosted by the Queens Business Coalition, where Nassau County Executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman drew a large and enthusiastic crowd for a meet-and-greet that brought together local activists, community leaders, candidates and supporters from across Queens.
Photo by Robert Pearl
For many in attendance, the evening represented the culmination of a conversation that had begun just weeks earlier.
On Monday, Aug. 24, local Queens leaders gathered at Young Israel of Queens Valley for a question-and-answer forum with a key representative of the Blakeman campaign. The gathering became a constructive call to action as participants shared ideas about how Queens could play a larger role in the campaign heading into the post-Labor Day sprint.
The message from the room was overwhelmingly positive and direct: Queens is ready to help and go to bat for Bruce Blakeman.
Local leaders and activists said they wanted to see Blakeman spend more time in the borough — visiting neighborhoods, meeting directly with residents and community leaders and engaging with the diverse communities that make up Queens – including Jewish, Asian, Hispanic and other ethnic groups. Participants emphasized that the borough has a deep pool of volunteers, political and campaign experience, media
connections and social media reach ready to be put to work.
“We are the boots on the ground,” was the sentiment that emerged from the discussion.
Those gathered said they wanted to help elect Bruce Blakeman and brainstormed ways to strengthen the campaign’s ground game, including neighborhood outreach, volunteer organizing, multilingual communications, local media and social media engagement.
Photo by Robert Pearl
The campaign representative assured those in attendance that the concerns and ideas being raised would be discussed with the campaign and Blakeman himself, with a broader plan for engagement expected to take shape as the full campaign operation moved into its September phase.
Blakeman’s appearances across Queens have become increasingly frequent as his gubernatorial campaign moves into its post-Labor Day push.
In the weeks surrounding the Aug. 24 gathering at Young Israel of Queens Valley, Blakeman expanded his presence in some of the borough’s most diverse and politically active communities. His recent stops included a voter-outreach walk through Downtown Flushing businesses, a standing-room-only gathering at the Harbor Light Pub in Rockaway Park earlier in July, the annual Broad Channel Labor Day Parade alongside local volunteers and a solemn pre-Rosh Hashanah visit to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Ohel in Cambria Heights.
At Oasis Cafe, the candidate thanked supporters and quickly delivered the kind of direct, energetic message the crowd had come to hear.
Photo by Robert Pearl
Blakeman sharply criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul and the policies of her administration, focusing on issues including taxes, energy costs, crime and public safety. He argued that New York had moved in the wrong direction and said his campaign was focused on restoring what he described as common-sense leadership and policies.
Photo by Robert Pearl
“I want us to be back where we should be,” Blakeman told the audience, saying he believed his policies and ideas could move New York forward.
He pointed to his record as Nassau County Executive and said he wanted to bring that approach to communities throughout the state.
Blakeman’s appearance was the centerpiece of an evening that also showcased a growing network of Queens candidates, organizations and grassroots activists.
Photo by Robert Pearl
Among those recognized or appearing were Queens GOP Chairman Tony Nunziato, New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC) President Stefano Forte, State Senate candidate Pamela Michos, Assembly candidates Brandon Castro, Robert Speranza and Wilson Chang and other local candidates and activists.
Robert Becerra of the Blakeman campaign was also present. Becerra, who is involved in the campaign’s animal-rights outreach and advisory efforts, joined local leaders and supporters throughout the evening.
Robert Becerra addresses attendees. Photo by Robert Pearl
The event brought together members and representatives of organizations including the Queens Business Coalition, Queens Village Republican Club, Whitestone Republican Club and others. Phil Orenstein, president of the Queens Village Republican Club, was among the local Republican leaders connected to the broader Queens organizing effort.
Michael Kane of Teachers for Choice also addressed the audience, speaking about his advocacy and his organization’s support for Blakeman. He urged those gathered to become more actively involved as the campaign moves toward Election Day.
Pamela Michos delivered a similar message, emphasizing that supporters must translate enthusiasm into action through volunteering, organizing, canvassing and getting involved in their communities.
The campaign season, those involved said, is now entering a new phase — and the focus is increasingly turning toward organization, outreach and a strong ground game. As the final stretch of the election season is underway, the message was simple: the call to action has been made, and Queens is ready to get to work.