Bruce Blakeman, the Republican leader from Long Island who won his reelection last week, is staking his claim to become New York's next governor. He says he can connect with voters across the state and prove that he has a stronger base than any other Republican candidate.
Blakeman, who has been meeting with party officials, business leaders, and reporters in various parts of the state, believes that Long Island is crucial to winning the election. "If you're not rolling up big numbers in Nassau County and Suffolk County as a Republican, you have no shot to become the governor of the state," he said.
However, his plans are facing significant opposition from party leaders. State GOP Chair Ed Cox declared there won't be a Republican primary next year and backs Rep. Elise Stefanik for governor instead. Cox believes that focusing on defeating Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is more effective than a costly battle for the nomination.
Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2-to-1 in New York, with independent voters outpacing the GOP. No Republican has won statewide office in the state since George Pataki's third term as governor in 2002. The Republican nominee in 2022, Lee Zeldin, came within six points of toppling Hochul, largely thanks to his strong showing on Long Island.
Blakeman is hoping that his fellow Republicans took notice. He claims to spend most of his time on Long Island and believes he knows the area well. However, strategist Chapin Fay notes that Stefanik would have to win over voters in heavily Democratic New York City, a task she might find challenging given her lack of experience with the densely populated suburbs.
Fay suggests that both Blakeman and Stefanik should focus on New York City if they want to stand a chance at winning statewide. The key is limiting their margin of defeat in the city to just 1-2 percentage points. Trump's endorsement could be crucial in clearing the field for one candidate or another, but it remains to be seen who he will back.
Blakeman has indicated that he respects his party's wishes and would support Stefanik if she becomes the nominee. However, he also believes that competition is good and that voters should make their voices heard in the party. It's an uncertain road ahead for the Republican candidates as they vie for the governorship.
Blakeman, who has been meeting with party officials, business leaders, and reporters in various parts of the state, believes that Long Island is crucial to winning the election. "If you're not rolling up big numbers in Nassau County and Suffolk County as a Republican, you have no shot to become the governor of the state," he said.
However, his plans are facing significant opposition from party leaders. State GOP Chair Ed Cox declared there won't be a Republican primary next year and backs Rep. Elise Stefanik for governor instead. Cox believes that focusing on defeating Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is more effective than a costly battle for the nomination.
Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2-to-1 in New York, with independent voters outpacing the GOP. No Republican has won statewide office in the state since George Pataki's third term as governor in 2002. The Republican nominee in 2022, Lee Zeldin, came within six points of toppling Hochul, largely thanks to his strong showing on Long Island.
Blakeman is hoping that his fellow Republicans took notice. He claims to spend most of his time on Long Island and believes he knows the area well. However, strategist Chapin Fay notes that Stefanik would have to win over voters in heavily Democratic New York City, a task she might find challenging given her lack of experience with the densely populated suburbs.
Fay suggests that both Blakeman and Stefanik should focus on New York City if they want to stand a chance at winning statewide. The key is limiting their margin of defeat in the city to just 1-2 percentage points. Trump's endorsement could be crucial in clearing the field for one candidate or another, but it remains to be seen who he will back.
Blakeman has indicated that he respects his party's wishes and would support Stefanik if she becomes the nominee. However, he also believes that competition is good and that voters should make their voices heard in the party. It's an uncertain road ahead for the Republican candidates as they vie for the governorship.
. Bruce Blakeman thinks he can win the governor's seat just because he knows Long Island well, but let's be real, it's not that simple. And now Ed Cox is opposing him? That's just great, another drama-filled primary battle on our hands 
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Like, who knows where he'll come down on this one? It's always so unpredictable. Can we just have a straightforward election for once without all these backroom deals and drama? 
. I mean, it's already a toss-up in there. And Ed Cox saying no Republican primary next year? That's just gonna give Hochul an even bigger advantage 
. Blakeman's whole thing about knowing Long Island well is kinda suspect - what if he doesn't have the rest of the state's pulse, you know?
. Anyway, Trump's endorsement could be the game-changer here, but we'll see how that plays out. One thing for sure, it's gonna be an interesting ride 
Ed Cox is straight-up trying to shut down the whole primary thing, which means it's gonna be tough for anyone to win. The GOP needs to get their act together if they wanna take down Hochul. And let's be real, the numbers are all against them - like, who even expects a Republican to become governor again? 
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