Blakeman Wins GOP Nomination for New York Governor, Vows to Fight 'Lunatic Left'

New York Republicans unanimously selected Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman as their gubernatorial nominee Wednesday, embracing a strategy that closely aligns with President Donald Trump while targeting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a central campaign foil.

Speaking at the party convention at the Garden City Hotel on Long Island, Blakeman declared that New York had been overtaken by the “lunatic left” and promised to always support Trump. The career politician, who has twice won his purple Long Island district, outlined plans to cut taxes, target violent criminals and ban transgender athletes from youth sports.

“We can make New York affordable again, and we can make it safe again,” Blakeman said, adding he would “protect your daughters and your granddaughters from being bullied by biological males.”

The nomination comes as Republicans face steep electoral challenges. Nearly half of New York’s registered voters are Democrats, and no Republican has won statewide office since 2002. Trump’s approval ratings in his home state are declining while Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s favorability appears to be rising.

Despite these obstacles, hundreds of delegates expressed optimism about their chances. New York Republican Party Chair Ed Cox predicted that “with Bruce and his record heading our ticket this year, we won’t just win statewide offices. We will defend our Republican congressional seats and win seats from Democrats.”

Republicans repeatedly targeted Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, throughout the convention. State Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt told delegates the actual opponents were “the face of the new mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani” and “Gov. Kathy Hochul.”

The party also nominated biotech entrepreneur Joseph Hernandez for comptroller, who ran unopposed and will likely face incumbent Tom DiNapoli in November. Hernandez, a Cuban immigrant whose family fled the Castro regime, called Mamdani a communist, saying “I know a communist when I see a communist.”

However, Republicans’ strategy of attacking Mamdani may be complicated by Trump’s apparent admiration for the young mayor. Trump said he was confident Mamdani “can do a good job” after they met in the Oval Office in November, and Mamdani has said they’ve stayed in touch over text.

Former federal prosecutor Saritha Komatireddy, the party’s attorney general candidate, promised to end what she called legal attacks against Trump by current Attorney General Letitia James, whom she labeled “a far-left radical.”

Former Gov. George Pataki, the last Republican to win statewide election, endorsed Blakeman’s candidacy despite the odds. Pataki cited Blakeman’s Nassau County record, where he partnered with federal immigration enforcement and kept property taxes steady.

Political consultant Chapin Fay noted that Blakeman “has managed to be a Trump supporter, be MAGA, without a lot of the baggage that comes with that in New York, at least so far.”

Blakeman announced Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood as his lieutenant governor pick after Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino withdrew from consideration following criticism from right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer.

Libertarian Larry Sharpe attempted a last-minute challenge to Blakeman’s nomination, arguing the party needed a competitive primary, but received no delegate support. Sharpe criticized the Republican leadership’s MAGA-focused message, saying “they’ve accepted they cannot win and this is their guy who will accept the ‘L.’”