A Long Island county executive's candidacy announced Tuesday guarantees Rep. Elise Stefanik will face opposition in the New York Republican gubernatorial primary.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman formally entered the race, setting up what could become a high-dollar, high-drama contest between two Republicans eager to take on Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Both candidates hope to win over President Donald Trump.
In his announcement on Facebook, Blakeman cast New York as a state battered by soaring costs and public-safety concerns, pitching himself as a results-driven executive.
"Our state is struggling under policies that have driven up taxes, utility bills, and crime. It's time for a proven leader who will Put New York First," he said, adding that New Yorkers deserve "leadership that works — not more empty promises."
Blakeman, 70, also rolled out a campaign video highlighting Nassau County as the "safest in America," crediting his approach to law enforcement and pointing to cooperation with the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.
The theme likely will resonate with GOP primary voters.
The New York Times reported ahead of the announcement that Blakeman, a Trump ally, was preparing to launch a run, with the move threatening to spark what the paper described as a potentially explosive primary clash with Stefanik, 41, who has already declared against Hochul.
Stefanik's team didn't wait.
Her campaign emailed Newsmax a lengthy, aggressive statement arguing that Blakeman is a "spoiler" who would help reelect Hochul, insisting Stefanik has built a statewide coalition and leads him decisively in primary polling.
Her camp also attacked Blakeman's record on Second Amendment issues and past support for Democrats, framing him as out of step with Republican voters.
Stefanik's team also flagged a Daily Mail report shortly after Blakeman's announcement, highlighting questions raised about donations tied to the county executive's consulting firm — a sign her allies are prepared to make a hard-hitting case early.
For now, Trump is keeping his options open. Asked about the two potential nominees, the president praised both — "She's great. He's also great," he said — and suggested he may weigh an endorsement later.
Hochul, meanwhile, is already signaling she welcomes the fight, quipping that a Republican primary would be "more entertaining" as candidates try to "out-MAGA each other," according to the Times.
Newsmax Wires contributed to this report.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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