When Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman jumped into the ring against MAGA stalwart Rep. Elise Stefanik in the fight for New York’s Republican gubernatorial nomination, it put President Donald Trump in what he’s expressed as an undesirable position.
“[Stefanik is] a friend, [Blakeman is] a friend. These are two great people running. I hate to see them running against each other. I hope they’re not going to be damaging each other,” Trump said.
Several sources told Spectrum News that Trump called Blakeman, stating that he did not feel a win was likely — an interaction some painted as an attempt to dissuade Blakeman.
“Have you talked to President Trump about your run? What did he say?” NY1 reporter Bernadette Hogan asked Blakeman.
Blakeman replied, “I don’t disclose any conversations that I have in private with anybody, but especially President Trump. And I think his comments, he can speak for himself, and I think what he said is indicative of how he feels. He likes us both and he respects us both.”
Earlier this week, Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared to leverage the candidates’ interactions with Trump, painting them as undesirable in the largely liberal state.
“I have no idea [Trump’s] motivation, but if he thinks they’re great. That’s another message in the campaign. To say they’re both beloved by Donald Trump and you really want a MAGA governor? And I think the answer will be a resounding no,” Hochul said.
Several political operatives close to the matter complained to Spectrum News that they feel the matchup will harm Republicans — already underdogs in the state.
New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox has publicly endorsed Stefanik.
In a statement shared with Spectrum News, he wrote, “Elise Stefanik has over 75% of the weighted vote of our counties. She is our best candidate to defeat Kathy Hochul, which is why I endorsed her.”
A spokesperson for Stefanik called Blakeman an “early Christmas present to Kathy Hochul” and accused him of working “to blow Republicans’ best chance to win.”
Blakeman, who holds a seat in purple Nassau County, told Spectrum News he feels he is the best man for the job.
“I think my record proves that. So, I’m not running against Elise Stefanik, who is a very bright woman, and she is a good legislator, I am running against Kathy Hochul,” he said.