Bruce Blakeman: The Run for NY Governor

On a recent Friday afternoon in New City, New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman met with several local reporters. Blakeman, who was elected Nassau County Executive in 2021, has been traveling across every region of the state, not only to outline his policy agenda but also to hear directly from residents about what they want from their next governor.

His campaign revolves around two themes: making New York more affordable and making it safer. Blakeman argues that Nassau County serves as proof of his approach, pointing to four years without a tax increase and recognition from U.S. News & World Report as the safest county in America. Throughout his remarks, he repeatedly claimed that New Yorkers have grown frustrated with Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership. According to Blakeman, that frustration extends beyond residents, as businesses continue leaving the state because of the rising cost of doing business.

When asked by fellow reporter Chris McKenna of The Journal News how he expects to win statewide despite New York’s Democratic voter advantage, Blakeman pointed to former Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin’s 2022 campaign. “Hochul didn’t have a report card then, and Zeldin nearly won,” Blakeman said. “Now she has a report card, and it’s straight Fs.” He added, “We’re in a death spiral in New York, and I’m the pilot who can take us out of that spiral.”

It is certainly an uphill climb, however, particularly given President Donald Trump’s standing among New York voters. A July Washington Post-Ipsos poll placed Trump’s national approval rating at roughly 37 percent, while a Siena College poll found his approval rating in New York closer to 29 percent. Blakeman dismissed the idea that Trump’s popularity would determine the outcome of the race, insisting that the election should be about New York’s problems rather than national politics.

“Donald Trump didn’t make our electric bills 70 percent higher. Donald Trump didn’t make New York the most overtaxed state in America. Donald Trump didn’t make New York a lawless community—Kathy Hochul did,” he said.

Some of Blakeman’s criticisms, however, require additional context.

While crime remains higher than pre-pandemic levels in some categories, statewide crime, including violent crime, has generally declined since 2024, according to PolitiFact. Likewise, Blakeman’s claim that Hochul eliminated 2,000 correction officer positions deserves clarification. The positions were not cut as part of a budget reduction. Rather, more than 2,000 correction officers were terminated in March 2025 after refusing to return to work following a three-week illegal wildcat strike, a violation of New York’s Taylor Law, which prohibits most public employees from striking.

Another major topic of discussion was New York’s energy policy.

Blakeman argued that the 2021 closure of Indian Point contributed to higher utility costs and increased reliance on natural gas, replacing what had been a zero-emission source of electricity. When asked whether he would support reopening Indian Point, Blakeman said Congressman Mike Lawler is currently pursuing a feasibility study but believes the state should also take a broader look at its domestic energy resources.

“We sit upon the Marcellus Shale, and Kathy Hochul won’t let us extract that gas. Instead, we’re buying natural gas from Pennsylvania,” he said. Blakeman also suggested New York should explore whether a new generation of small modular nuclear reactors, the type of technology used aboard submarines, could become part of the state’s long-term energy strategy, while also reconsidering the state’s ban on hydraulic fracturing.

For Rockland County residents, however, perhaps the most important question wasn’t about statewide politics at all. Too often, Rockland finds itself caught between the hustle and bustle of New York City and the blue-collar identity of upstate communities like Buffalo, leaving many residents feeling overlooked by Albany regardless of which party is in power.

I asked Blakeman what would convince Rocklanders that they wouldn’t once again become an afterthought if he were elected governor.

His answer brought the conversation back to the central message of his campaign.

“Rockland is paying city-style taxes while facing neglect from Albany,” Blakeman said. “My administration will ensure Rockland gets its fair share of state funding, repeal cashless bail to support local police, cut red tape to attract new businesses and high-paying local jobs.”

Whether voters ultimately embrace Blakeman’s vision remains to be seen. But for Rockland residents, the interview underscored a broader question that will likely define the race here as much as anywhere else in the state: which candidate can convince voters that Albany is finally paying attention to communities that too often feel caught in the middle.