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Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is running for governor of New York State.
Blakeman, who was re-elected county executive last month, launched his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday morning, pointing to what he characterized as experience in cutting taxes, balancing budgets, earning bond-rating upgrades and investing in safety.
“New Yorkers are being hit from every angle – rising prices, rising crime and Albany mandates that make life harder, not easier,” Blakeman, who President Donald Trump labeled “100% MAGA,” said in a news release about his gubernatorial campaign.
“I’m running for governor to put the people of our state first. It’s time for leadership that fixes problems, protects families and makes New York affordable and safe again,” he said.
Blakeman’s entry into the race sets up what is expected to be a competitive Republican contest against fellow Trump ally U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a northern New York conservative. Stefanik entered the gubernatorial race in November. Her U.N. ambassador nomination by Trump was withdrawn due to concerns about maintaining the GOP’s narrow House majority.
Trump has – so far – avoided taking sides, telling reporters this week “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people.”
As county executive, Blakeman has pushed through a policy that bans transgender athletes from using county sports facilities, created a volunteer law enforcement unit that his critics have labeled as a militia and directed county detectives to work alongside federal authorities in Trump’s immigration crackdown.
On Tuesday, Blakeman said he would bring an affordability package to the state. This would include cutting taxes, and addressing other financial burdens – including heating, electric and water bills – on households.
He also said he would reform bail laws, strengthen discovery laws, target gangs and drug traffickers.
A former Hempstead Town councilmember, Blakeman previously held an appointed post as the commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
But bigger elective offices have eluded him. New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul‘s campaign issued a statement saying Blakeman “has lost just about every race he’s touched — county legislator, comptroller, Congress, even U.S. Senate. There’s a reason: just like Donald Trump, he takes money out of New Yorkers’ pockets and squeezes working families at every turn.”
Democrats enjoy a strong voter registration advantage in New York, but next year’s race for governor is expected to be one of the nation’s most watched contests. Hochul, a moderate Democrat, is facing a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.