Trump endorses Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for New York governor after Stefanik's exit

"Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning," Trump added.

"As Nassau County Executive, he is working tirelessly with the Brave Heroes of ICE, Border Patrol, and Law Enforcement to Keep Our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Community, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER," Trump wrote.

Blakeman welcomed Trump's endorsement, aligning himself closely with the president's policy agenda.

"I am blessed and grateful to have the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump," Blakeman said in a statement obtained by Fox News. "President Trump is driving down gasoline prices and slashing the cost of prescription drugs. Securing our borders has made America safer. President Trump loves New York, and we will be partners in making New York safe and affordable."

Trump said Blakeman would continue that agenda statewide if elected.

"As your next Governor, Bruce will continue to fight hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes, and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment," Trump wrote.

Blakeman serves as Nassau County Executive, leading New York's largest suburban county. He has positioned himself as a tough-on-crime executive and a vocal critic of New York's immigration and criminal justice policies.

"Bruce Blakeman is a FANTASTIC guy, will win the big November Election and, without hesitation, has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Governor of the ONCE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK (IT CAN BE GREAT AGAIN!)," Trump wrote.

Stefanik, a close Trump ally and member of House GOP leadership, had been widely viewed as the top candidate heading into 2026.

The campaign for Elise Stefanik for Governor did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Hochul made history as New York's first female governor.

The governor's campaign, in a statement to Fox News Digital, tied Blakeman to Trump.

"Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman for one reason: he'll put Trump first, New York last, and leave families to foot the bill. Take it from Trump, Blakeman is 'MAGA all the way' - he cheered Trump's expensive tariffs that jack up costs for New Yorkers, ran Nassau's safety-net hospital into the ground, and stayed silent when Trump slashed nearly $200 million from the NYPD," Hochul campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika argued.

And Chitika, pointing to Stefanik, a one-time moderate Republican who became a top Trump supporter and House ally, claimed that "Blakeman should have learned a lesson from Elise Stefanik: MAGA sellouts don't win New York, and they sure as hell don't end up in the governor's mansion."

The Hochul campaign, in their release, also spotlighted Blakeman's past electoral defeats, including his unsuccessful bids in 2010 for the U.S. Senate and in 2014 for the U.S. House.

The most recent poll in the 2026 New York race for governor, conducted before Stefanik dropped out of the race, indicated Hochul with lage double-digit leads over both Stefanik and Blakeman in hypothetical general election matchups in blue-leaning New York.

It's been nearly a quarter-century since a Republican won a gubernatorial election in New York. The last GOP candidate to succeed was then-Gov. George Pataki, who was elected to a third term in 2002.