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President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for the Republican nomination for New York governor. The endorsement came after Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., withdrew from the race.
“Bruce is MAGA all the way and has been with me from the very beginning. As Nassau County Executive, he is working tirelessly with the Brave Heroes of ICE, Border Patrol, and Law Enforcement to Keep Our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Community, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“As your next Governor, Bruce will continue to fight hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes, and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment!” he added.
Blakeman didn’t waste any time thanking the president for his endorsement.
“I am blessed and grateful to have the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump,” he told Fox News. “President Trump is driving down gasoline prices and slashing the cost of prescription drugs. Securing our borders has made America safer. President Trump loves New York and we will be partners in making New York safe and affordable.”
Stefanik announced Friday night that she is ending her campaign for New York governor and will also leave her seat in Congress. The decision was influenced in part by Trump’s refusal to endorse her candidacy, according to a GOP source familiar with the matter, Fox News reported.
“The biggest piece of this puzzle was Donald Trump and the fact that he passed three times on endorsing her candidacy,” the source told Fox News Digital.
The source said Trump declined to endorse Stefanik even during a recent Oval Office meeting attended by members of the “Miracle on Ice” team. The source said Stefanik believed Trump’s lack of support played the largest role in her decision.
According to the source, Stefanik entered the race last month believing she had a clear path to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
That calculation changed afterBlakeman, a Trump ally, entered the Republican primary earlier this month. The source said Blakeman’s entry made it clear Stefanik would face a contested primary.
The source said Trump’s neutrality, combined with the prospect of a prolonged primary, factored heavily into Stefanik’s decision.
“When you start to add these things up, it does not seem that you’re going to have the wind to your back in this cycle,” the source said.
She added:
I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats all across the state for our campaign to Save New York.
However, as we have seen in past elections, while we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York.
And while many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom. I believe that being a parent is life’s greatest gift and greatest responsibility. I have thought deeply about this and I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don’t further focus on my young son’s safety, growth, and happiness – particularly at his tender age.
The source said Stefanik’s decision to leave Congress was also driven by a sense that it was time to move on.
“I am proud of the significant results that we successfully delivered for the hardworking families in our district and across America. It has been a tremendous professional honor to serve as your Congresswoman over the past eleven years. Thank you for your support and encouragement as my family and I look forward to the next meaningful personal and professional chapter,” her statement continued.
