New York gubernatorial candidate from the Republican Party, Bruce Blakeman, in a special interview with RTVI, called his acquaintance with the President of the United States, fellow party member Donald Trump, one of his advantages in the election race.
Blakeman is Nassau County's chief executive and won the New York State GOP primary in June. His opponent in the November election will be the incumbent governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul.
In an interview with RTVI, Blakeman voiced a number of theses that are consistent with the line that dominates the Republican Party today. For example, he promises on his first day as governor to cancel aid to illegal immigrants and allow the construction of data centers in New York State. We also note that in 2024, he banned the participation of transgender athletes in competitions in Nassau County.
“And by the way, yes, I have ties to President Trump. And that's good. When I become governor, it will be great to be able to call the president—and have him pick up the phone. And if I need something for the residents of New York State, the likelihood that he will meet halfway will be higher,” added the RTVI interlocutor.
Last December, when New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who was seen as one of the Republican favorites, dropped out of the race, Trump publicly expressed support for Blakeman. The president noted that the head of Nassau County has supported the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement “all the way” and has been with Trump from the very beginning.
In addition, Blakeman “works tirelessly with the brave heroes” of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Border Patrol and law enforcement agencies to secure borders and combat migrant-related crimes, the White House chief added.
“As your next Governor, Bruce will continue to fight hard to grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations, promote products made in the USA, uphold American energy supremacy, strengthen our military and veterans, improve election integrity, and protect our ever-threatened Second Amendment. [Конституции]! – Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social.
On Friday, at Blakeman's invitation, Trump held a rally in Nassau County.
“As Trump heaped praise on Blakeman, a crowd of people in MAGA hats shouted “Brewus” as if they were at a Bruce Springsteen concert,” The Washington Post described the rally.
A Republican hasn't led New York in 20 years, not since George Pataki's term ended in 2006. The last mayor of the Big Apple to be elected as a Republican was Michael Bloomberg. His victory in the 2001 election was largely facilitated by the support of his predecessor in this post, also Republican Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's most prominent supporters. Bloomberg, however, declared himself independent in 2007. He left the post of mayor in 2013.
Watch the full interview with Bruce Blakeman on the Duty for America YouTube channel.
