Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman vaulted into the Republican governor’s race after Elise Stefanik bowed out, according to iHeartRadio. He used a Conservative Party conference in Albany to hammer Kathy Hochul over energy policies he says drive up costs.
Stefanik quit in January, citing family priorities and a desire to avoid a messy primary. Her exit cleared the field fast. State GOP chair Edward F. Cox quickly lined up behind Blakeman.
Blakeman points to his 12-point reelection win in Democratic-leaning Nassau County as proof he can compete statewide. Still, recent polling shows Hochul holding a wide lead heading toward November 2026.
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