Trump endorses County executive for NY governor

President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he’s endorsing Nassau County’s Republican executive for governor in next fall’s New York race, just a day after the president’s longtime ally announced she was suspending her candidacy. The endorsement, while not unexpected, could help ensure that Bruce Blakeman, who leads the suburban county on Long Island, doesn’t face a serious contender in his push to win the GOP primary and a chance at a likely faceoff against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” Trump said in a post announcing the endorsement on his Truth Social platform. Stefanik announced that she is suspending her campaign for governor and will not seek reelection to Congress. The race between Stefanik and Blake had been expected to be competitive. Stefanik in announcing her decision said she wanted to avoid an “unnecessary and protracted Republican primary.”