President Trump jumped to endorse GOP Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for the New York governor race a day after Rep. Elise Stefanik suspended her bid.
“Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning. 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,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday.
“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!” he wrote.
Mr. Blakeman wrote that he was “grateful and blessed” to have the president’s endorsement.
Ms. Stefanik, New York Republican, announced she would be suspending her bid for governor and not seeking reelection for her House seat.
“I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats all across the state for our campaign to Save New York,” Ms. Stefanik, New York Republican, wrote in a statement Friday.
“However, as we have seen in past elections, 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,” she said.
She had entered the race in November to challenge Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul. Mr. Blakeman entered the race earlier this month.
Both Republicans are in Mr. Trump’s good graces, and he has spoken highly of both of them but hadn’t previously shared an endorsement.
The president told Mr. Blakeman, “Good luck, you are a good man,” during a Hanukkah reception at the White House Wednesday night, according to a video obtained by The Washington Times.
The governor’s race is a tough one for Republicans. Mr. Blakeman isn’t considered well known outside of Long Island, and the last time New York elected a Republican governor was George Pataki, who served three terms, from 1995 to 2006.
