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.
He 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!” he wrote.
Blakeman has 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 won’t be up for election until next year.
The National Republican Congressional Committee’s chairman, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), said he “would prefer [Lawler] not run for governor.”
Lawler said he won’t decide on his plans until June. “As I have said throughout this process, I will make my decision as to whether to run for Governor in June,” Lawler said in a statement to NBC News. “That decision, which will be based on a number of factors and considerations, will be mine alone to make and will not be impacted by the decisions or desires of any of my colleagues.”
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.