Nassau County Govt Bruce Blakeman slammed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State tackle Tuesday, making it clear he’s operating on President Trump’s script — all the way down to an Empire State model of the MAGA hat.
The possible Republican gubernatorial candidate is ready to debut a pink baseball cap that reads “Make NY Pleased Once more — Vote Blakeman.”
Blakeman, 70, contemporary off being sworn in for his second time period as county govt Monday night time, wasted no time setting his sights on Hochul, who he hopes to unseat within the November elections.
“She didn’t point out her file,” the Lengthy Island politician informed reporters. “She solely talked about Washington Republicans and Trump as in the event that they’re the explanation why we’re so overtaxed, overregulated, crime’s been uncontrolled. And she or he simply she’s dwelling in a unique universe than the onerous working households on this state.
“She’s obtained no potential to grasp their issues and their points and the way to clear up them,” he stated. “The best way to resolve them will not be by giving them a free bus experience. It’s by creating good jobs, financial growth and prosperity so individuals have more cash of their pockets.”
The conservative govt grew to become the GOP frontrunner after early favourite US Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out of the race. President Trump then endorsed Blakeman to tackle Hochul.
On Tuesday, Blakeman challenged the anti-Trump rhetoric that Hochul harped on throughout most of her State of the State tackle in Albany earlier within the day, touting her accomplishments within the Empire State whereas blaming the White Home for shortcomings in financial and pro-immigration insurance policies.
“We’re probably the most overtaxed state in the US,” he stated at a press briefing. “Essentially the most overtaxed and due to this fact, as probably the most overtaxed state in the US. You might be hurting center class households.
“There’s a purpose why lots of of 1000’s of individuals have left the state below your tenure. It’s the the explanation why 1000’s of companies have left New York State below your tenure.” Blakeman added.
“And in the event you hearken to your speech, you’d assume that you just have been simply elected in the present day, when in reality, you’ve been the governor for over 4 years.”
Hochul, 67, was lieutenant governor and took over the state’s high job in 2021 after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. Hochul was elected to her first full time period within the 2022 November elections, together with her seat up once more this yr.
She spent a lot of her 50-minute State of the State tackle criticizing Trump, notably on the president’s anti-immigration crackdown that has challenged New York’s “sanctuary state” standing.
Hochul maintained she has helped increase the state’s struggling financial system and introduced crime down.
No Republican has gained election as governor in deeply blue New York since 2002, when former Gov. George Pataki gained his third and remaining time period.
