Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman launched his campaign for governor on Tuesday, entering what is expected to be a competitive Republican primary against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik. Blakeman, a Republican official from Long Island’s suburbs, becomes the second high-profile GOP contender seeking to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in 2026.
Former President Donald Trump has not indicated whether he will endorse a candidate. Trump last year nominated Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations before withdrawing her name to protect the GOP’s narrow House majority.
Stefanik announced her gubernatorial bid in November and quickly secured support from Republican and Conservative Party leaders across the state. Following Blakeman’s announcement, her campaign released a sharply worded statement highlighting her political record and dismissing Blakeman’s chances in the primary.
“Congresswoman Elise Stefanik launched her campaign to make New York affordable and safe and on day one earned historic support from voters across the state,” said campaign spokesperson Bernadette Breslin. The statement cited public polling that shows Stefanik with a wide lead over Blakeman and argued she is the strongest Republican candidate against Hochul.
The Stefanik campaign pointed to her previous electoral successes, fundraising efforts on behalf of Republicans nationwide, and her track record in Congress. It also attacked Blakeman’s political history, criticizing his past electoral losses and labeling him “an early Christmas present to Kathy Hochul.”
Blakeman has not yet responded publicly to the Stefanik campaign’s characterization, but his entry into the race sets the stage for a high-profile GOP primary featuring two well-known Trump allies with statewide ambitions.
The Republican nominee will face long odds in a state where Democrats hold a significant voter enrollment advantage, but GOP leaders are hoping dissatisfaction with taxes, crime, and affordability issues could create an opening in 2026.
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