President Donald Trump endorsed both of Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-NY) top competitors for the Republican nomination in New York’s 2026 gubernatorial race on Tuesday night.
By endorsing Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for reelection to their current offices, Trump could be signaling a preference for Stefanik, one of his staunchest House allies, in the race.
None of the three have declared whether they are running for governor, but they have been heavily speculated to do so against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY). Lawler has been pressured to stay in his House district to avoid his seat falling in Democratic hands.
Trump gave his nod to Blakeman before endorsing Lawler a bit over an hour later.
“Mike is doing an outstanding job representing the Hudson Valley, and all of New York. Because of the excellent job he is doing, Mike has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election to New York’s 17th Congressional District – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump wrote of Lawler.
Lawler’s campaign told the Washington Examiner that the congressman will still make a decision on whether to run for governor in June.
“Congressman Lawler is grateful for the President’s support and appreciates his commitment towards addressing issues important to New York, including lifting the cap on SALT, combating antisemitism, securing the border, and growing the economy,” a statement from his campaign reads. “As Congressman Lawler has said repeatedly, he will make a decision on running for Governor in June.”
Democrats mocked Lawler for the endorsement.
“Mike Lawler just received a presidential level snub from Donald Trump,” Democratic Governors Association spokesman Kevin Donohoe told the Washington Examiner. “With one tweet, Trump has completely undercut Lawler’s dreams of running statewide. Donald Trump, and no one else, will choose New York’s next Republican gubernatorial nominee — and it’s not going to be Mike Lawler.”
A New York Democratic Party spokesman said whoever runs as a Republican in the gubernatorial race will be tied to Trump, alluding to Lawler’s attempts to be a centrist and distancing himself from some Trump administration actions.
“Donald Trump has confirmed that the New York GOP primary for governor is all about him and his toxic agenda. No matter who stumbles out of the GOP primary, Trump’s meddling guarantees that any GOP nominee will be tied to his rising costs, his sinking economy, and his failed agenda – no matter how hard they try to run from it,” New York State Democratic Party spokesman Addison Dick told the Washington Examiner.
Trump said Blakeman was doing an “incredible job as Nassau County Executive!”
“Bruce Blakeman has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” the president wrote.
Blakeman reacted to Trump’s endorsement on Tuesday night.
“I sincerely appreciate President @realDonaldTrump’s endorsement of my campaign for re-election as Nassau County Executive,” Blakeman wrote in a post on X. “Upon taking office I declared that Nassau County was not a Sanctuary County, or a welcome place for criminals. We have hired over 300 new law enforcement officers while at the same time earning 7 bond upgrades and I haven’t raised taxes one penny. I admire President Trump’s courage, resilience, and leadership.”
Blakeman already declared he will run for reelection as Nassau County Executive in a battleground area for Long Island Republicans. His endorsement could be considered timely, as his election is in November 2025. Lawler will not be up for election until next year.
The National Republican Congressional Committee chairman, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), said he would prefer Lawler not run for governor.
Stefanik entered the New York gubernatorial speculation after she returned to her House seat due to worries about a waning Republican majority. She had been Trump’s nominee for ambassador to the United Nations and was expected to be confirmed.
Stefanik went after Hochul on Monday. “The fact is that Kathy Hochul is not only the Worst Governor in America, she is also the biggest drag on the ballot in the state of New York and virtually every Democrat candidate and incumbent knows and acknowledges this,” Stefanik posted on X.
“Even Hochul’s own political and consulting team has privately communicated this behind the scenes,” she added.
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Hochul says she’s ready for a fight.
“I look forward to that fight. No matter who it is. It’s not settled yet, but I say bring it on,” Hochul told CNN.
