Blakeman’s Vision for 2026 Gubernatorial Race
Bruce Blakeman, a Republican from Long Island, is infusing his campaign for the 2026 gubernatorial race with a twist reminiscent of the MAGA movement. He’s aiming to “make New Yorkers happy again.”
This slogan, which seems to resonate with some, was mentioned during an appearance on Miranda Devine’s “Pod Force One.” The Republican candidate, who holds the position of Nassau County Executive, is eager to elevate his presence statewide as he works to narrow a 13-point polling gap with the current Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, according to a Siena poll.
Blakeman expressed during his conversation with Devine that New Yorkers desire a leader who genuinely cares for their needs. “They want a governor who puts New Yorkers first,” he stated.
Frustration with Kathy Hochul appears to be palpable among voters, as Blakeman pointed out, “They’re not very happy with her, so they want a governor who will make them happy again.”
When Devine complimented the slogan, Blakeman affirmed, “That’s what it really means.”
If he secures a win in November, Blakeman aims to replicate the achievements he’s made in Nassau County throughout New York, with a focus on what he describes as a tough stance on crime. He highlighted that during his four years in office, he didn’t raise taxes and halted a planned $150 million tax hike set by his Democratic predecessor, Laura Curran.
Blakeman aims to expand his reach beyond Long Island, describing his fundraising efforts as crucial to bridging the existing gap. He noted the size of Nassau County’s population, which surpasses that of eight other states.
Although trailing in the polls, Blakeman insists he’s not in a worse position than former candidate Lee Zeldin, who fell behind Hochul by a 22-point margin at the same juncture four years ago. His campaign recently unveiled an internal poll showing a narrow 9-point lead, along with data indicating strong support in suburban areas and even more from urban voters than Siena’s figures suggested.
He mentioned that New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani is a key figure to watch, as only the governor can potentially limit or remove him. “Kathy Hochul has proven she is in bed with him. She is not going to stop him,” Blakeman asserted.
However, Blakeman faces challenges in both polling and fundraising. Currently, Hochul has raised over $20 million for her campaign, whereas Blakeman reports only $3.2 million.
At a Monday press conference, Mayor Mamdani took a swipe at county executives, underscoring issues beyond child care. Blakeman remarked that if elected, he would ensure Mamdani’s influence is curtailed. “There’s only one thing I can say with 100% guarantee…I’ll stop him,” he confidently stated.
Despite being behind in the polls, Blakeman remains optimistic. “We’re going to win,” he claimed, though his path became more complicated after Democrats on the state campaign finance commission voted against providing him with a multimillion-dollar funding match due to technicalities.
He criticized Hochul’s administration, labeling it a “failure” due to excessive taxation, overregulation, and policies perceived as supporting crime, which have driven many residents to leave the state. “I talked to New Yorkers who left,” he shared, adding that they expressed a willingness to return if he becomes governor.
A spokesperson from City Hall did not respond immediately to requests for comments regarding these claims.
