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).
Follow the money
Bruce Blakeman
- $825KBlakeman for Nassau (county exec committee)Blakeman's own county-executive campaign account · Internal transfer
- $375K
- $18K
- $18K
- $18K
- $18K
- Real estate$63K
- Internal transfers (county account + Nassau GOP)$1.2M
- $1.0MStrong and SafeSuper PACFunded by: James Dolan-linked: MSG Entertainment $350K + MSG Sports $350K (Jul 2026), per campaign finance records; Coalition to Restore New York (Dolan-created, $2M from MSG) transferred $300K. ~$1M in identified receipts; full donor roster and totals still unreported.. 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/).
- UndisclosedMake it CheaperSuper PACFunded 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.
- UndisclosedDefend Empire StateSuper PACFunded by: No contributions reported as of Aug 25, 2026. Founder Jason Meister previously ran the Defend NYC PAC in the 2025 NYC mayoral race, which reported $1M each from Bill Ackman and Joseph Gebbia — those are 2025 Defend NYC figures, not Defend Empire State donors.. 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.
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."
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.
- 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.
Closing argument
Public safety, lower taxes/affordability, and immigration enforcement. Pledges to end congestion pricing "on Day One."
Endorsements
- Curtis SliwaGuardian Angels founder; 2025 NYC mayoral nomineeotheren.wikipedia.org
- New York Republican State CommitteeChair Edward Coxorgsen.wikipedia.org
- Andrea CatsimatidisManhattan GOP chairorgsen.wikipedia.org
- Former Gov. George PatakiLast NY Republican governorelectedsen.wikipedia.org
- Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-1)Long Island congressmanelectedsen.wikipedia.org
- Transport Workers Union Locals 106 and 252Two TWU localslaboren.wikipedia.org
- Steamfitters Local 638 UAAnnounced 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 PartyChair Jerry Kassar
- President Donald TrumpEndorsed a day after Stefanik exited