Trump Endorses Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in New York Gubernatorial Race

President Donald Trump endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on Saturday for the New York gubernatorial race, launching a campaign centered on public safety and opposition to sanctuary policies. The endorsement followed Rep. Elise Stefanik’s announcement that she is leaving Congress after dropping out of the governor’s race.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Blakeman as “Highly Respected and very popular,” emphasizing his alignment with conservative values. “Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” Trump said. “As Nassau County Executive, he is working tirelessly with the Brave Heroes of ICE, Border Patrol, and Law Enforcement to Keep Our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Community, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER.”

Trump added that Blakeman would “Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes, and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment” as governor.

Blakeman, who announced last week he would seek the Republican nomination, denied Stefanik an uncontested path to the GOP nomination. The congresswoman, a longtime Trump ally in Capitol Hill, cited family reasons for her decision to withdraw from the race.

Speaking to Newsmax on Saturday, Blakeman detailed his campaign focus on public safety, affordability, and opposition to sanctuary policies, noting his record as county executive: “Over the last three years, I’ve hired 400 new police officers and 200 corrections officers without raising taxes, and secured seven bond upgrades from Wall Street rating agencies.”

Blakeman criticized Governor Kathy Hochul for moving New York toward “sanctuary state” policies and warned that he would “put a check on Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani” if the new mayor fails to enforce laws in New York City. A source close to Stefanik told Newsmax’s John Gizzi that Trump’s refusal to endorse her bid for governor was a key factor in her decision to exit the race.