Overview
- Rep. Elise Stefanik suspended her gubernatorial bid and said she will not seek reelection to Congress, removing the highest-profile Republican rival.
- President Donald Trump issued a “Complete and Total” endorsement of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on Truth Social, praising his law-and-order and immigration stance.
- State GOP chair Ed Cox backed Blakeman, and reporting indicates the endorsements consolidate him as the party’s front-runner heading into the February convention.
- A recent Siena poll shows Gov. Kathy Hochul leading Blakeman by about 25 points statewide, with roughly 70% of voters unfamiliar with Blakeman’s name.
- Analysts note Blakeman trails badly in cash versus Hochul and must expand beyond a MAGA-aligned profile that includes controversial Nassau County policies.