Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said Friday he’s received “overwhelming” support since he revealed a possible gubernatorial run — and will decide in the “near future” if he wants to battle upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik for the GOP nomination.
The Long Island leader addressed his potential 2026 bid to replace Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul just hours after Stefanik officially kick-started her run to lead the Empire State.
Blakeman, fresh off an impressive re-election victory Tuesday, said during an unrelated press conference he’s still figuring out what backing he’d have — but has received positive feedback since he divulged earlier this week he was considering a run for the higher office.
“Based on the phone calls that I received just in the last 48 hours, the support has been overwhelming, and it’s from a lot of people that you would never think wanted to support a Republican for governor,” he said.
The county executive, in an interview with The Post afterward, touted his easy win over Democratic challenger Seth Koslow to clinch a second term and other local Republicans who romped at the polls.
“From a political standpoint, we were basically the only bright star in a dark night for the Republican Party,” he said of Nassau’s GOP.
“So it shows that I can get Democrats and independent voters to vote with me and vote Republican. So I think that’s a big factor.”
He said he’ll make a decision “in the near future.”
“I’m thinking about whether or not I’m the best candidate. If I think I’m the best candidate to win, then I’ll do it,” Blakeman said.
Stefanik, who represents parts of upstate, threw her hat in the ring Friday after months of speculation — and quickly slammed Hochul for endorsing incoming New York City socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Both Stefanik and Blakeman are fierce allies of President Trump, and have repeatedly ripped Hochul for a myriad of liberal policies they say are hurting New York.
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