A Civic Pulse publication
Portrait of Bruce Blakeman

Bruce Blakeman

Republican · Challenger · Governor of New York
Background

Who they are

Bruce Alan Blakeman, Nassau County Executive since 2022, re-elected Nov 2025 by ~12 points in a Democratic-leaning county. The Republican challenger and presumptive nominee after Elise Stefanik exited the race in Dec 2025.

Long Island Republican; former 9/11-era Port Authority Commissioner. Trump-endorsed (Dec 20, 2025).

Prior offices
Nassau County Executive (2022-present); Commissioner, Port Authority of NY & NJ (2001-2008); Nassau County Legislator and first Presiding Officer (1996-1999); Hempstead Town Councilman
Running mate
Todd Hood (Madison County Sheriff)
Record
Runs on his Nassau record: eliminated ~$150M in scheduled property-tax hikes, says he did not raise property or sales taxes, expanded county law enforcement, opposed sanctuary policies and partnered with ICE.
Campaign finance

Follow the money

Bruce Blakeman

Republican · Challenger
Top line · Pre-general reporting (press-reported Oct 6, NYPNN/WAMC)
—
Raised
—
Spent
$177K
Cash on hand
—Donors—From $1k+—From $10k+—Self-funding
Public matching: enrolled
Notable donors
  • Blakeman for Nassau (county exec committee)
    Blakeman's own county-executive campaign account · Internal transfer
    $825K
  • Nassau County Republican Committee
    Nassau GOP · Party transfer
    $375K
  • Jake Duneier
    CEO, Clyde Duneier Inc. (jewelry) · Jewelry
    $18K
  • Eliyahu Glassman
    DN Partners · Real estate
    $18K
  • Brittany Kaiser
    Data-rights whistleblower (ex-Cambridge Analytica) · technology
    $18K
  • Tzivya Fried
    FWD Group · Real estate
    $18K
+ 5 more itemized donors on file.
By industry
  • Real estate$63K
  • Internal transfers (county account + Nassau GOP)$1.2M
As of Oct 6, 2026
Outside & dark money
  • Strong and Safe
    Super PAC
    $6.5M
    Supports Bruce Blakemanpartialcityandstateny.com
    Funded by: Dolan-controlled entities combined $3.7M; Coalition to Restore New York $1.3M; Securing American Greatness $2M (per City & State, Oct 22). Second pro-Blakeman super PAC to surface (after Make it Cheaper). First public activity: commissioned the Red Oak Strategic poll (Jul 7-12) released via NY Post on Jul 28, 2026. Aug 4 update: MSG Entertainment/MSG Sports contributions ($350K each) plus $300K Coalition to Restore New York transfer surfaced in campaign finance records — first identified funders. Amount reflects known receipts only, not total raised. Sept 11 update: Capitol Pressroom (WCNY) podcast with PAC spokesman Chapin Fay — committee now branded "Strong & Safe New York," running billboards; no new donors or totals disclosed (https://capitolpressroom.org/2026/09/11/super-pac-to-the-rescue/). Sept 15 update: ~$250K statewide billboard campaign ("You Are Now Leaving NY (Like Everyone Else)") on outbound highways, per 5 Towns Central; reported spend, not a filed figure; donor roster still incomplete (https://5townscentral.com/2026/09/15/dolan-backed-super-pac-launches-new-york-billboard-campaign-supporting-blakeman/). Oct 12: amount = total raised per WIRED Oct 1 (MSG $2M). Oct 29 update: City & State (Oct 22) reports the PAC dropped $6.5M over the past few months supporting Blakeman and GOP AG candidate Saritha Komatireddy; amount now = reported spending, replacing the earlier $5.3M receipts figure.
  • Make it Cheaper
    Super PAC
    Undisclosed
    Supports Bruce BlakemanundisclosedDark moneynysfocus.com
    Funded by: Donors not yet disclosed (no report filed as of June 30, 2026). Pro-Blakeman super PAC formed June 5, 2026. Treasurer Kristofer Graham (ran the pro-Zeldin "Save Our State" PAC in 2022); consultant Chris Grant. Funders undisclosed so far.
  • Defend Empire State
    Super PAC
    Undisclosed
    Supports Bruce Blakemanpartialcityandstateny.com
    Funded by: Top contributors per City & State (Oct 22): Edelstein & Son Realty LLC $50,000 and hedge fund investor Jonathan Hellner $50,000. Full roster and totals not stated in the article.. Third pro-Blakeman outside group to surface, after Make it Cheaper (Jun 5) and Strong and Safe (Jul). Registered with the NYS Board of Elections by Jason Meister, a risk-insurance executive on a Trump advisory board, and reported Aug 24, 2026. Meister told the New York Post he will raise millions to defeat Hochul, framing the race around her ties to Mayor Mamdani. As an independent-expenditure super PAC it can take unlimited donations; no amounts raised or spent have been reported. Amount left null on purpose — "millions" is a stated intention, not a filed figure. Next disclosure trigger: the Oct 4 24-hour super PAC reporting window. Oct 29 update: City & State cheat sheet (Oct 22) reports first named donors (Edelstein & Son Realty $50K; Jonathan Hellner $50K) and says the PAC has paid for a handful of anti-Hochul digital ads; no spending total given.
Source: wamc.org
Platform

Top priorities

  • public_safety

    Law-and-order platform; touts expanded Nassau law enforcement and attacks bail reform and subway-safety failures.

  • taxes_affordability

    Says he raised no property or sales taxes in Nassau and eliminated ~$150M in scheduled hikes; promises statewide tax relief.

  • immigration

    Opposes sanctuary policies; directed Nassau law enforcement to assist ICE and vows to defy new state limits. Pledged at a Jul 24, 2026 Yorktown event (with the family of Sheridan Gorman and Rep. Mike Lawler) that his first day-one executive order as governor would declare New York "no longer a sanctuary state."

On the issues

Positions

  • transit_mta

    Pledges to end congestion pricing "on Day One," calling it a regressive tax; attacks MTA fare policy.

  • climate_energy

    Opposes offshore wind and large battery storage, backs natural gas, and would pause electrification mandates; pledges to cut electricity bills. Pledged (Jul 18, Central NY swing) to lift New York's hydraulic-fracturing ban and supports data-center development, opposing Hochul's statewide moratorium — says developers should build their own power generation and water recirculation systems. Extended the energy attack to utility-scale solar on farmland at an Aug 16, 2026 Batavia stop, calling it "a total scam" and alleging out-of-state and foreign developers collect subsidies while donating to Hochul. On Sept 13, 2026 he told the New York Post he would scrap the Advanced Clean Cars II rule (100% zero-emission new car sales by 2035) and the new-building gas ban, calling them a "war on drivers." Sept. 18 (Greece, Monroe County): said he would lift the ban by "emergency order" and cut utility rates in half; also opposes large-scale solar on farmland (WXXI).

  • education

    Backs school-choice and a private-scholarship tax credit, and "merit-based" admissions framing.

  • reproductive_rights

    Describes himself as pro-choice and says New York abortion law is "well-settled," a decision between a woman and her physician.

  • housing

    Less developed on housing; criticizes Hochul spending on homelessness and migrants and favors tax relief over current housing programs.

In their words

Closing argument

Public safety, lower taxes/affordability, and immigration enforcement. Pledges to end congestion pricing "on Day One."
On the trail

Endorsements

  • Former Gov. George Pataki
    Last NY Republican governor
  • New York Republican State Committee
    Chair Edward Cox
  • Curtis Sliwa
    Guardian Angels founder; 2025 NYC mayoral nominee
  • Andrea Catsimatidis
    Manhattan GOP chair
  • Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-1)
    Long Island congressman
  • Transport Workers Union Locals 106 and 252
    Two TWU locals
  • Actress Debra Messing (Democrat)
    Self-described Democratic supporter; said Blakeman represents "what we need." Also reported by Fox 5 NY (Oct 6). Celebrity endorsement, no organizational weight.
  • Debra Messing (actress)
    Stated support at a Manhattan fundraiser (around Oct. 1); first reported by the NY Post Oct. 4. Secondary source.
    otherOCT 4abcnews4.com
  • Former NYC Council Member Bob Holden (D, Queens)
    Registered Democrat who has also run on the Republican ballot line; Hochul campaign called the endorsement phony. Announced at a Middle Village campaign stop.
    otherSEP 23ny1.com
  • NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA)
    Membership vote 1,370-78 (94.6%), the union's first-ever endorsement in a statewide race, per a letter from president Chris Summers reported by the NY Post. Cites the 2025 wildcat strike firings (~2,000 officers), staffing shortages and HALT Act. Blakeman has pledged to rehire fired officers. Union also endorsed Republican AG candidate Saritha Komatireddy and Democrat Tom DiNapoli for comptroller.
    laborSEP 15nypost.com
  • Steamfitters Local 638 UA
    Announced by the Blakeman campaign Sept. 2; NYC/Long Island industrial welders, HVAC and sprinkler fitters. Business manager Robert Bartels Jr. cited energy costs, safety and trades jobs.
  • New York Conservative Party
    Chair Jerry Kassar
  • President Donald Trump
    Endorsed a day after Stefanik exited
    otherDEC 20cbsnews.com
Listed for the record — not endorsements by ReviewHochul.
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