Posted on 12/20/2025 2:42:35 PM PST by DFG
President Donald Trump backed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for New York governor Saturday, a day after Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced her stunning withdrawal from the race.
“Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” the president posted on his Truth Social account, in his first endorsement since the dramatic development in the Republican primary.
He called Blakeman, a longtime friend, a “fantastic guy” who will “win the big November Election” against Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY).
“I am blessed and grateful to have the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump,” Blakeman said in a statement.
“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,” he added.
Trump said “without hesitation” that Blakeman “has my Complete and Total Endorsement of the ONCE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK” and said Blakeman “WILLNEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
The president’s unequivocal praise came after he spoke highly of both candidates for the previous two weeks – and could serve to discourage any further primary drama, after Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) left the door open to taking another look at the race.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Sometimes I question trumps decision
You cannot blindly follow
Elise is a great person and would have fought hard , she also has name recognition
Elise got out because trump didn’t endorse her.
Bad move by trump
so I guess Elise was forced out
Trump was good friends to both.
One got out of the race so Trump endorsed the other.
I've seen no other information.
It would have been a bruising primary that would have hurt the winner in the general. Blakeman plays better statewide and has executive experience. Elise did good and will probably get a nice position on the Trump admin next year.
Blakeman will be FABULOUS for NY......but the left will probably destroy the fine man.
Come on....Blakeman is FAR BETTER GOV MATERIAL than Elise. She’s great but she has a small child to take care of.
Your tag line is VOTE FOR BUSH???? OMG!
I understand Blakeman is a strong pro-abort politician. Is that true?
Susie is Rasputin.
Just sayin’.
Trump could easily have endorsed her during the weeks when she was the only declared GOP candidate. Instead - despite her being the only candidate - Trump didn't endorse her.
Once Blakeman entered, she rightly figured that she'd have to waste too many resources fighting Blakeman to have a shot against Hochul.
Apparently, Stefanik feels that Trump treated her pretty shabbily. I suspect this will leave a pretty sizeable rift between the upstate Republicans and tthe Long Island ones.
“Elise got out because trump didn’t endorse her.
Bad move by trump”
Brazen speculation....Have anything to support your assertion?
No idea, but it’s FREAKING NEW YORK STATE!
Bad move by trump”
Brazen speculation....Have anything to support your assertion?
I think the GOPe told Trump the Elise did have a chance and that they wouldn’t back her or give her money. So instead of standing behind her like she has done for him, he threw her under the bus and picked the Not Really MAGA Guy who will stab him in the back. Hope I’m wrong.
Because he never endorsed her.
did not have a chance
He hadn’t endorsed anyone. He also never gave any indication he would not eventually endorse her.
Her getting out of the race because he had not yet endorsed anyone to date is nonsensical.
This is all academic.
You or I have a better chance of hitting the Powerball jackpot than any Republican has of being the next New York governor.
Bonus: Buying the Powerball ticket is cheaper!
I believe Blakeman is an unknown in Central and Western NY.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.