Bruce Blakeman to Face Kathy Hochul in New York Governor’s Race

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman will now officially face incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election.

Both the Democrat and GOP candidates have run unopposed since at least February, but their nominations were only officially sealed on June 23, when the slated primaries were canceled.

Blakeman initially had a competitor in Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), but she dropped out in December 2025 saying “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 also said she wanted to spend more time with her son.

Hochul initially had a primary challenger in Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, but he dropped out due to Hochul’s performance in the polls.

Blakeman has promised to cut income taxes, slash regulations and utility bills, and make New York safe.

In an interview with NBC affiliate WGRZ, Blakeman promised that on day one of his term, if elected, he would immediately reduce utility costs for New Yorkers.

“It’s very, it’s very simple,” he said. “If you look at your electric bill, 30 percent of your payment goes for energy, only 30 percent the rest go for taxes, excessive delivery costs, and the green energy scam. So, on day one, there’s no more green energy scam.”

Blakeman said he would also cut taxes.

“It will be a negotiation process with the legislature,” he said, “and on top of that, the excessive delivery fees, that’s a hidden cost, and Kathy Hochul has raised the electric bill over 45 times.”

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Hochul campaign for comment.

Additionally, Blakeman said he would not support a moratorium on data centers. The New York state legislature passed a one-year pause, which Hochul has yet to sign. He said he let local municipalities decide whether to implement such a policy.

Blakeman expressed support for tax credits for working people who need child care for their children.

Moreover, Blakeman said that bail reform needs to be revamped.

“We have a revolving door of criminality in this state. The shoplifting is rampant, the car [theft threats] are rampant,” he said. “Every community is being hurt. You can’t even buy a [tube of] toothpaste without having somebody at CVS or Walgreens unlock it. Is that what we’ve come to in New York State?”

President Donald Trump has endorsed Blakeman, calling him “MAGA all the way.”

Trump praised Blakeman for “working tirelessly” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, and law enforcement to protect his community.

“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!” Trump posted on Truth Social on Dec. 20.