A longtime third-party contender is shaking up New York’s governor’s race, according to Spectrum News 1. Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe announced he’s entering the Republican primary, even as party leaders line up behind Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Sharpe’s campaign urged registered Libertarians to switch parties by Feb. 14 so they can vote in June’s closed Republican primary. He’s spent the week attacking Blakeman on social media, arguing GOP voters deserve an anti-establishment option to take on Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Sharpe previously ran for governor in 2018 and 2022 and recently secured the Libertarian nomination for 2026. Republicans plan to nominate their statewide candidates at a convention next week.
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