Stefanik announces but Blakeman still 'seriously considering' his own run
Plus: 5 things to know about Stefanik as her campaign gets underway.
Good afternoon — It’s Friday and National Jersey Day.
In today’s CapCon:
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik officially entered the race for governor Friday but Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he’s still considering his own run.
Here are five things to know about Stefanik as she starts to introduce herself statewide to New Yorkers.
The Hochul administration has released a report with preliminary findings on the impact of Trump’s tariffs on New York.
A new bill seeks to protect access to medication abortion if the federal government rescinds its approval of the drug.
Names in today’s CapCon: Elise Stefanik, Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman, Ed Cox, George Pataki, Nicole Malliotakis, Nick Langworthy, Claudia Tenney, Donald J. Trump,
🗣️ Stefanik officially announces campaign for governor amid primary chatter
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has been preparing for months to launch her campaign against Gov. Kathy Hochul.
That was complicated this week when Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said three times that he was flirting with the idea of a run himself. The Republican won reelection earlier this week.
Blakeman said Friday that Republicans need “a candidate that can win, that can show broad-based support … and I’ve done that,” according to Newsday’s Yancey Roy.
“I have tremendous respect for Elise, however our party must nominate a candidate that has broad-based appeal with independents and common sense Democrats,” Blakeman also said, according to NY1.
“The party must nominate the candidate with the best chance to defeat Kathy Hochul and I have been urged by business, community and political leaders across the state to make the run and I am seriously considering it,” he continued.
Stefanik had officially announced her campaign hours earlier, touting a long list of endorsements.
“I am running for governor to bring a new generation of leadership to Albany to make New York affordable and safe for families all across our great state,” Stefanik said in a statement.
Stefanik has already secured endorsements from 56 chairs of county-level Republican parties. That means she won’t have to petition her way onto the ballot, primary or not. State law allows party leaders to vote to place a candidate on the ballot.
If Blakeman were to jump into the race, he would have to petition his way onto the ballot or secure at least 25% of the weighted vote from county chairs. Stefanik has 72% right now.
Stefanik was also endorsed by State Republican Chair Edward F. Cox, former Gov. George E. Pataki, U.S. Reps. Nick Langworthy, Nicole Malliotakis, and Claudia Tenney, 12 Republicans in the state Senate and 34 in the state Assembly — more than half of the members in each of those conferences.
Cox said in his statement backing Stefanik that there would not be a primary election in the race.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Capitol Confidential with Dan Clark to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.