Nassau's Blakeman launches 2026 NY governor bid
Long Island Republican Bruce Blakeman, the newly re‑elected Nassau County executive, launched a 2026 bid for New York governor on Fox & Friends and will challenge Rep. Elise Stefanik in the GOP primary. He’s running on a platform of prosperity and public safety and points to a county record that includes bans on transgender athletes at county facilities, creation of a volunteer law‑enforcement unit critics call a militia, directives for county detectives to assist federal immigration enforcement and a local public mask ban, while Stefanik and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaigns have already criticized his candidacy.
📌 Key Facts
- Bruce Blakeman announced his 2026 New York governor bid on Fox & Friends, criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul and positioning himself as focused on prosperity and safety.
- Blakeman is the re-elected Nassau County executive and previously served on the Hempstead Town Council and as a Port Authority commissioner.
- As Nassau executive, Blakeman enacted policies including a county rule barring transgender athletes from county sports facilities; creation of a volunteer law enforcement unit critics dubbed a militia; directing county detectives to assist federal immigration enforcement; and a local public mask ban with health and religious exceptions.
- Elise Stefanik’s campaign blasted Blakeman as a weak candidate who has supported “corrupt Far Left Democrats,” calling his run “an early Christmas present” to Hochul.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign framed Blakeman as a frequent loser in past bids and accused him of taking money out of New Yorkers’ pockets.
- The reporting notes New York Democrats’ voter-registration advantage and that Nassau County narrowly favored Donald Trump over Kamala Harris in the last presidential election.
- Former President Trump had at one point considered nominating Elise Stefanik as U.N. ambassador but withdrew the idea over concerns about the slim House GOP majority losing a seat.
📊 Relevant Data
Nassau County was ranked the safest community in the United States by U.S. News & World Report in 2024, with a violent crime rate of 143.6 per 100,000 residents.
Nassau County rated safest community in the country by US News and World Report — New York Post
The poverty rate in Nassau County is 5.38%, the lowest among New York State counties, compared to the statewide average of approximately 14%.
2024 Poverty Report - New York State Community Action Association — New York State Community Action Association
Nassau County's population is composed of 55.4% White, 18.5% Hispanic, 11.5% Asian, and 10.9% Black residents as of 2023, with the Hispanic population increasing from 15.6% in 2010.
Nassau County, NY population by year, race, & more — USAFacts
In 2023, Black individuals accounted for 32.8% of arrests in Nassau County despite comprising 10.9% of the population, while White individuals accounted for 27.7% of arrests despite being 55.4% of the population.
Nassau County Adult Arrests by Race/Ethnicity: 2023 — New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Immigrants in New York State are associated with lower crime rates than native-born residents, with no evidence of a migrant-driven crime wave in 2024 despite increased migration.
Migrant crime is politically charged, but the reality is more complicated — NPR
Opioid overdose deaths in Nassau County declined by 22% from 230 to 179 in the 12-month period ending September 2024, with the county receiving nearly $100 million in settlement funds for combating the crisis.
NYS opioid deaths decline; preliminary figures show steep decrease on Long Island too — Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
📰 Sources (2)
- Blakeman launched his bid on Fox & Friends, criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul and positioning himself as focused on prosperity and safety.
- Stefanik’s campaign blasted Blakeman as a weak candidate who has supported 'corrupt Far Left Democrats,' calling his run 'an early Christmas present' to Hochul.
- Trump previously considered nominating Stefanik as U.N. ambassador but withdrew over concerns about the slim House GOP majority losing a seat.
- Article notes New York Democrats’ registration advantage and that Nassau County narrowly favored Trump over Kamala Harris in the last presidential election.
- Details of Blakeman’s Nassau policies: a county rule barring transgender athletes from county sports facilities, creation of a volunteer law enforcement unit critics dubbed a militia, directing county detectives to assist federal immigration enforcement, and a local public mask ban with health/religious exceptions.
- Hochul campaign statement framing Blakeman as a frequent loser in past bids and alleging he 'takes money out of New Yorkers’ pockets.'
- Background on Blakeman’s resume: re-elected Nassau executive in November; prior Hempstead Town Council service and Port Authority commissioner role.