Trump predicts victory for Blakeman as New York governor race heats up

New York’s gubernatorial race is becoming increasingly competitive as Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman seeks to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in a state long considered a Democratic stronghold.

President Donald Trump threw his support behind Blakeman during a campaign-style appearance in Long Island on August 14, sharply criticizing Hochul and New York’s Democratic leadership while predicting that Blakeman would win the November election.

Speaking at an event at the Nassau County Police Academy in Garden City, Trump urged his supporters to help Blakeman win the governor’s race.

“We have to get Bruce in,” Trump said, while criticizing Hochul’s policies on crime, immigration and public safety. He also questioned how Blakeman could lose to Hochul, adding jokingly that Blakeman would be embarrassed for the rest of his life if he failed to win.

Trump’s remarks focused heavily on crime, bail reform, immigration and the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

Blakeman, who has served two terms as Nassau County executive, defended his administration’s approach to public safety and immigration enforcement. He said Nassau County has an extensive cooperation agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and claimed that nearly 2,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal records had been detained or removed through the cooperation over the past year.

The issue has become a major point of disagreement between Blakeman and the Hochul administration. A state law signed by Hochul in May included provisions aimed at ending formal cooperation agreements between ICE and local governments, including Nassau County.

The Hochul administration has argued that using local police resources for federal immigration enforcement could take resources away from other law-enforcement priorities. Blakeman has argued that cooperation with federal immigration authorities improves public safety.

Recent polling suggests that Blakeman has narrowed the gap, although Hochul remains ahead.

A Siena College poll conducted in early August found Hochul leading Blakeman 49% to 39% among likely voters, a 10-point advantage.

Hochul has a substantial lead in New York City, where she holds 64% support compared with 19% for Blakeman. In the suburbs, however, Blakeman leads 49% to 41%.

Trump’s endorsement could energize Republican voters, but it also carries political risks. The Siena poll found that 60% of likely New York voters view Trump negatively, potentially making it harder for Blakeman to attract independent and Democratic-leaning voters.

Blakeman has argued that having a close relationship with the president could benefit New York if he becomes governor.

Hochul, meanwhile, has highlighted recent declines in crime across the state. She has said shootings resulting in deaths have fallen 62%, homicides 57% and overall crime 10% in recent periods.

New York has not elected a Republican to statewide office in more than two decades. However, Republican Lee Zeldin came within roughly six percentage points of defeating Hochul in the 2022 gubernatorial election, making this year’s contest potentially more competitive than many previous statewide races.

The general election will be held on November 3. Voters will determine whether Trump’s prediction that Blakeman is “a winner” becomes reality.