Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman criticized New York GOP Chair Ed Cox on Wednesday after the state chairman endorsed Rep. Elise Stefanik as the Republican candidate to challenge Governor Kathy Hochul.
Speaking with Spectrum News, Blakeman stated that Cox “hasn’t won. He’s lost virtually every race as state chairman and may need to review his playbook.”
In November, Cox praised Stefanik, describing her as “a unifier and a party builder with the brains, the guts and the resources to win statewide next year.” He added: “She has fought for our principles every day of her career, and never backs down. She is the warrior we need to lead the fight against Democrats’ corrupt Albany machine.”
Stefanik, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump in Congress, launched her campaign after months of speculation and is widely considered the early GOP frontrunner for the nomination.
Blakeman, known for emphasizing public safety and affordability during his county administration, has attracted non-Republican voters through initiatives in Nassau County. During an interview with Newsmax on Tuesday, he clarified that his primary focus is defeating Governor Hochul rather than Stefanik.
“Everybody wants the same thing,” Blakeman said. “They want safe neighborhoods and they want low taxes. They want economic development. They want jobs. They want prosperity. They want a better place to live for their kids and their grandkids.”
While President Trump described both candidates as “great people,” the Stefanik campaign condemned Blakeman’s entry into the race, calling it an “early Christmas present” for Hochul that jeopardizes Republicans’ chances of victory.
