As a New Yorker, I have to admit that when it comes to politics, we really haven’t lived up to the “Empire State” motto. I travel the country as a New York Republican and constantly get the same question: “What are you still doing in New York?” Perhaps it’s my New York arrogance, but I’m in it for the long haul—which is why 2026 is a make-or-break year for the financial capital of the world.
After electing a communist who hates our country as Mayor of New York City, Nassau County’s Bruce Blakeman may be our last hope. But why? Why is this year different?
It’s different because of the stark contrast between the person New York City just elected and the man New York State is about to elect as Governor.
A lifelong Long Islander—and the child of two US service members—running for Governor is a sharp contrast to Mamdani, a man who has been a US citizen for just eight years. Bruce Blakeman has proven he can unite the center while remaining firmly with the America First movement. In 2021, Blakeman narrowly won the County Executive race against incumbent Laura Curran. But that’s not the shocking part. The shocking part is that he gained 5% more of the vote in his most recent election (50.6% in 2021 to 55.6% in 2025), in a year that saw a GOP bloodbath nationwide.
When Bruce Blakeman first took office in 2021, New York’s 4th-largest county by population (1.4 million people) was set to add $ 150 million in tax hikes. Blakeman removed those hikes on day one. And as far as safety goes, throughout my life, there were dozens of neighborhoods in Nassau County you would NEVER go into. But since taking office, according to US News and World Report, Nassau County is now the safest county in America.
This is even more impressive when you find out that Queens County, which falls under the New York City jurisdiction and policies of Bill de Blasio, like “Defund the Police, is only separated by a Traffic light. Blakeman cares so much about safety that he has begun deputizing retired Law Enforcement Officers to assist with ICE arrests. Yet, he has still increased his vote share among moderate voters.
Nationally, people hear “New York” and think “New York City.” But having someone who can unite the center will be critical this year—and it can be done. The anti-Mamdani vote in New York City alone (more than one million votes) could be the deciding factor.
Many political pundits are predicting a bloodbath for the GOP in this year’s midterms. Historically, the party in power loses the midterms. But in 2022, Nassau County—on the back of a Blakeman victory—helped flip two congressional districts, saving the House of Representatives for the Republican Party and then Speaker Kevin McCarthy, effectively bringing the radical Joe Biden congressional agenda to a halt.
Blakeman could be that check once again—not only against the communist running New York City, but also by helping retain the House majority for President Trump, Speaker Johnson, and the Make America Great Again movement. New York Congressional Districts 3, 4, and 19 are all rated competitive by the Cook Political Report, and Blakeman has shown he can deliver the moderate voters needed to flip all three.
Some of you might be shocked by this, but New York—despite being treated as the poster child for everything wrong with liberalism—has produced some of the most effective members of the Trump administration (Lee Zeldin, Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, Tom Homan, Howard Lutnick, Dan Scavino, Steve Witkoff, Jeanine Pirro, and, of course, President Donald Trump). Bruce Blakeman, a longtime friend of the President, can be the next one.
Ask any New Yorker, and if they are being honest, we are at a crossroads. Everyone I know can name 100 people they know, grew up with, or are related to who have fled New York for Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, or Florida. Every day, we continue to not only lose Republican voters but also young talent because of overall crime, taxes, the price of living, and a depressed feeling about their future opportunities. Need Proof? In the 2000 Presidential election, President Bush won the State of Florida by 537 votes. In 2022 Governor Ron DeSantis won by 1.5 million votes. New Yorkers are fleeing to Florida and freedom more and more every day.
Bruce Blakeman might be the last chance for the Empire State to live up to its name. New York. Back The Bruce, as we like to say. We’ve done it before, and if we can do it again. New York is ready to shock the world… Wouldn’t be the first time!
Kevin Smith is a New York conservative activist and host of the show Loud Majority Live for Live From America TV. He also serves on the New York Young Republican Club Board of Advisors.
