In a significant political development, former US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for the upcoming New York gubernatorial election. Trump's full-throated endorsement, issued on December 21, 2025, sets the stage for a fierce contest against the incumbent Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul.
Trump's Ringing Endorsement and Blakeman's Campaign Launch
Donald Trump announced his "Complete and Total Endorsement" for Bruce Blakeman in a detailed statement. Praising Blakeman's work in Nassau County, Trump highlighted his collaboration with immigration and law enforcement agencies to "Keep Our Border SECURE" and combat crime. Trump projected confidence, stating Blakeman is a "FANTASTIC guy" who will win the November election and not let voters down.
Blakeman formally entered the race for Governor last week, directly taking aim at the Democratic leadership in Albany. In his campaign video, he argued, "For too long Albany has been controlled by one party, the Democrats." He positioned himself as the strong Republican needed to challenge Hochul's policies, which he claims are responsible for rising taxes, soaring utility bills, and increasing crime rates.
The Uphill Battle: Poll Numbers and Political Landscape
Despite the high-profile endorsement from the former President, Bruce Blakeman faces a considerable challenge. A recent poll from Siena College reveals a daunting gap, showing Blakeman trailing Governor Kathy Hochul by 25 percentage points. This deficit underscores the persistent difficulties Republican candidates encounter in statewide elections within New York, a traditional Democratic stronghold.
The endorsement aligns Blakeman closely with Trump's core political agenda. Trump's statement outlined a platform for Blakeman that includes growing the economy, cutting taxes and regulations, promoting American manufacturing, championing energy dominance, and protecting Second Amendment rights.
What This Means for New York's Political Future
This endorsement intensifies the national spotlight on the New York governor's race. It frames the election as a direct clash between Trump's conservative vision and the state's established Democratic policies. Blakeman's campaign is likely to focus heavily on issues like law and order, immigration, and economic relief from state-level taxes.
However, the substantial polling gap indicates that Blakeman must expand his appeal beyond the Republican base to pose a serious threat to Hochul's incumbency. The coming months will test whether Trump's endorsement can mobilise enough support to close that gap and make the race competitive.
The political manoeuvring sets the tone for a highly watched election in November, where New York's policy direction for the coming years will be decided.
