WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday introduced he’s endorsing Nassau County’s Republican govt for governor in subsequent fall’s New York race, only a day after the president’s longtime ally Rep. Elise Stefanik introduced she was suspending her candidacy.
The endorsement, whereas not surprising, might assist be sure that Bruce Blakeman, who leads the suburban county on Lengthy Island, doesn’t face a critical contender in his push to win the GOP major and an opportunity at a probable faceoff towards incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Bruce is MAGA all the way in which, and has been with me from the very starting,” Trump stated in a submit asserting the endorsement on his Truth Social platform.
Stefanik introduced Friday that she is suspending her campaign for governor and won’t search reelection to Congress.
The race between Stefanik and Blakeman had been anticipated to be aggressive. Stefanik in asserting her resolution stated she wished to keep away from an “pointless and protracted Republican major.”
Stefanik has been a steadfast ally of Trump, who nominated her to function his ambassador to the United Nations solely to withdraw it due to issues about probably additional eroding the GOP’s slim majority within the Home.
Anna Moneymaker by way of Getty Pictures
Stefanik introduced her resolution simply days after Blakeman formally introduced his candidacy.
Trump on Monday, amid studies Blakeman would soar into the race, declined to take a facet within the major race when requested about Blakeman and Stefanik, as an alternative telling reporters, “He’s nice, and he or she’s nice. They’re each nice individuals.”
Blakeman, the chief of Nassau County, has gained consideration for championing a coverage that bans transgender athletes from utilizing county sports activities amenities. He has additionally created a volunteer regulation enforcement unit that his critics have labeled as a militia and directed county detectives to work alongside federal authorities in Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The Hochul marketing campaign steered that Trump’s embrace of Blakeman needs to be a turnoff to the state’s voters.
“Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman for one purpose: he’ll put Trump first, New York final, and depart households to foot the invoice,” stated Hochul marketing campaign communications director Sarafina Chitika.
