Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman officially announced his run for New York governor on Tuesday morning. The Republican politician released a video to launch his 2026 campaign. He seeks to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul but first he must win the GOP nomination. This move sets up a high-profile primary showdown against Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
Stefanik declared her candidacy last month and is a prominent figure in the party. Both contenders are strong allies of President Donald Trump. Trump addressed the upcoming primary on Monday but declined to endorse a specific candidate at this stage. He told reporters that both Blakeman and Stefanik are great people.
Blakeman enters the race fresh off a reelection victory in Nassau County last November. He defeated his Democratic opponent by a double-digit margin in a region where Democrats outnumber Republicans. His campaign message focuses on his record of tax stability and public safety. He claims to have kept taxes flat during his four years in office. Blakeman also gained national attention for controversial policies such as a ban on transgender athletes in county sports facilities and the creation of a volunteer emergency deputy team.
The Stefanik campaign immediately criticized Blakeman’s entry into the race. Her spokesperson issued a statement describing the bid as an ego-driven move that could hurt the party. Stefanik argues she is the stronger candidate to defeat Hochul in the general election. Her team pointed to polls showing her with a significant lead over Blakeman among Republican voters.
New York has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won a third term in 2002. The upcoming election is expected to be a fierce contest. Governor Hochul is seeking a second full term but faces her own primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. The Republican primary between Blakeman and Stefanik will likely dominate the state political landscape for the coming months.
