Bruce Blakeman Announces Run For Governor

NASSAU COUNTY, NY. — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman entered the 2026 governor's race Tuesday, releasing a campaign video on a YouTube account titled, "Blakeman For New York" and a campaign website of the same name.

Blakeman’s entry into the gubernatorial race comes a month after he declared victory in a reelection campaign for county executive over legislator Seth Koslow and roughly three weeks after he traveled off Long Island to stump upstate.

A longstanding ally of President Donald Trump, Blakeman entered the Nassau County Police Department into a controversial agreement with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and signed a ban on trans athletes playing sports at county facilities during his first term. Both the ICE cooperation and the ban on trans athletes are cited as policy accomplishments in Blakeman's campaign video.

"He fought sanctuary policies, rejected mask mandates, stopped boys from playing in girls sports, and made Nassau the safest County in America while hiring hundreds of new police officers," Blakeman's campaign website reads. "He fought sanctuary policies, rejected mask mandates, balanced budgets, and made Nassau the safest county in America."

The campaign site also highlights Blakeman's ties to the president, saying the former Port Authority Commissioner, "stands with President Donald Trump in the fight to restore law and order, cut taxes, and put New Yorkers first. He shares President Trump’s commitment to strong borders, safe communities, and a government that works for the people, not political insiders."

In his reelection campaign for the county seat, Blakeman focused on public safety and keeping taxes low.

"Bruce Blakeman eliminated $150 million in property tax hikes scheduled by his predecessor," the campaign site reads. "As County Executive he didn’t raised property or sales taxes by a single penny. As Governor, he will deliver real relief to homeowners and renters - just as he did as County Executive."

Blakeman also announced plans to boost surveillance at the Nassau County border with New York City after the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of the city.

According to the Associated Press, Trump declined to take a side in the race between Blakeman and Stefanik Monday, telling the press, “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people.”

Blakeman and Stefanik are running to unseat Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, who faces a primary bid from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.