Trump Endorses Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman In NY Governor's Race

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump has endorsed current Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in his run for governor of New York State.

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik announced Friday afternoon that she would be ending her campaign for governor, ending a primary race between Stefanik and Blakeman.

Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday: "Highly Respected and very popular Nassau County Executive, Bruce Blakeman, is running to be the next Governor of New York. Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning."

He added: "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. As your next Governor, Bruce will continue to fight hard to 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! "

And, Trump wrote: "Bruce Blakeman is a FANTASTIC guy, will win the big November Election and, without hesitation, has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Governor of the ONCE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK (IT CAN BE GREAT AGAIN!). BRUCE BLAKEMAN WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN."

"I am blessed and grateful to have the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump," Blakeman wrote on social media Saturday.

It wasn't the first time Trump rallied in support of Blakeman: He also endorsed Blakeman in his November race for Nassau County Executive.

Blakeman weighed in on the developments on X Friday: "I am the only Republican running for New York Governor against failed radical liberal Kathy Hochul. Donate to my campaign to fight crime, cut taxes, put New York First, and defeat Kathy Hochul."

Stefanik had planned to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul in the race; Hochul is currently facing a challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.

A Siena poll released this week showed Hochul with a 19-point lead over Stefanik and a 25-point lead over Blakeman in the race. Among Republican voters, Stefanik lead Hochul by an 82-to-7 percent margin, while Blakeman led 73-7. After Friday’s announcement, however, the closer of the two Republicans to Hochul had left the field.

"While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress. I did not come to this decision lightly for our family,"Stefanik said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Friday.

"While we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York," Stefanik added.