Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, announced on Tuesday that he will enter the race for Governor of New York. “It is official. I am running for Governor of New York. Our state is struggling with high taxes, rising utility bills, and rising crime. New Yorkers deserve a proven leader who will Put New York First,” Blakeman said. “New York needs leadership that works. I am ready to take on Kathy Hochul and fight for our families,” he continued. Watch his campaign announcement video: It is official. I am running for Governor of New York. Our state is struggling with high taxes, rising utility bills, and rising crime. New Yorkers deserve a proven leader who will Put New York First. As Nassau County Executive I delivered results: Safest county in America… pic.twitter.com/8MU8tdcWdX — Bruce Blakeman (@NassauExec) December 9, 2025 Fox News shared comments from Hochul’s team: Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign did not hold back in its response to Blakeman entering the race, calling him a “MAGA fanboy.” “Bootlicker Bruce Blakeman has lost just about every race he’s touched — county legislator, comptroller, Congress, even U.S. Senate. There’s a reason: just like Donald Trump, he takes money out of New Yorkers’ pockets and squeezes working families at every turn,” Hochul campaign communications director Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “Blakeman raised costs on New Yorkers and cheered on Trump’s tariffs like the MAGA fanboy he is — flying all the way to D.C. to applaud higher prices,” Chitika added. “He gushed that Trump is doing an ‘amazing job’ by gutting Medicaid and jacking up costs. We’re not about to let him turn the governor’s mansion into Mar-a-Lago North.” When asked about Hochul’s statement, Blakeman called the New York governor a “failure.” “I made Nassau County the safest county in America. We’re one of the most prosperous counties in America. I cut taxes, I haven’t raised taxes a penny in four years. We’ve created economic prosperity. Our poverty rate is one-third of the poverty rate of the state of New York. She’s the one that’s been a failure. I’m running for office to make people more prosperous, to make them safer and to make New Yorkers happy again,” the Nassau County executive said. Blakeman’s entrance will set up a competitive GOP primary against Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announces run for NY governor, setting up Stefanik showdown https://t.co/aRtD0l6ujf pic.twitter.com/K0v7O4TKwo — New York Post (@nypost) December 9, 2025 “We want to put New York first, we want to make it more affordable, we want to make New York safer, and we want to make people in New York happy again,” Blakeman said on “Fox & Friends.” Check it out: EXCLUSIVE: @NassauExec Bruce Blakeman launches his run for governor of New York. "We want to make it more affordable, we want to make New York safer, and we want to make people in New York happy again." pic.twitter.com/lgXBa4HE5e — FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) December 9, 2025 Gothamist has more: Blakeman joins U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the North Country, in the race. Both candidates are aligned with President Donald Trump. State GOP Party Chair Ed Cox, who has been backing Stefanik for governor, has said he’d like to avoid a primary contest so the party can focus on beating Hochul. Blakeman has cast himself as the Republican leader of the New York City suburbs that have increasingly embraced Trump since 2016. Stefanik’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hochul is seeking reelection and facing a Democratic primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado.