Trump Endorses Bruce Blakeman for New York Governor After Stefanik Exits

President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, in the race for New York governor, one day after Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out of the Republican primary, CBS News and NBC News reported.

In a Truth Social post, Trump gave Blakeman his “Complete and Total Endorsement,” NBC News reported, and called him “MAGA all the way.” He wrote that Blakeman is “working tirelessly with the Brave Heroes of ICE, Border Patrol, and Law Enforcement to Keep Our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Community, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER.” Blakeman said on social media that he was “grateful and blessed” and that he and Trump would be “partners in making New York safe and affordable,” according to CBS News.

The endorsement reverses the president’s earlier posture. CBS News reported that Trump had signaled he would not endorse at this stage, and NBC News noted that he praised both Stefanik and Blakeman the week before, calling Stefanik a “great Republican.” Blakeman entered the primary this month even though Trump had seemed to nudge him away from it by endorsing him for re-election as county executive. CBS News, citing sources familiar with the call, reported that Trump phoned Blakeman after he entered and said he did not like seeing “good Republicans” run against each other.

Stefanik had officially launched her campaign in November, and Blakeman was her first notable challenger, NBC News reported. Another possible rival, Rep. Mike Lawler, chose to seek re-election to his swing House seat instead. A Republican member of Congress with direct knowledge of the race told CBS News that Stefanik concluded a contested primary would be hard and potentially damaging even if she were likely to win.

Republicans see Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul as vulnerable and had hoped to avoid an expensive, divisive primary, CBS News reported. The party still has hurdles. Under state GOP rules, candidates must win at least 25 percent of the weighted vote at the party’s February convention to reach the June primary ballot, or else gather nominating petitions, according to CBS News.

The general election is a steep climb. New York has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won a third term in 2002, CBS News noted, and NBC News described any Republican nominee as facing an uphill battle in a state that leans heavily Democratic.

Blakeman has a national profile among conservatives. CBS News reported that his positions on immigration enforcement and opioid settlement money helped propel him to re-election in November.