Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is running as the sole Republican for New York governor, was dealt a slight setback on Monday after his first choice for running mate rejected the offer to run at the top of the ticket this year.
Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino said he could not accept the nomination of lieutenant governor because he could do give the attention it deserved while conducting his law enforcement duties.
“I realized I would be campaigning 24/7,” Giardino told the New York Post after his decision was first reported by an Albany television station. “I can’t be 24/7 campaigning across the state and effectively do my job as sheriff.”
The news comes as Blakeman is set to attend the New York GOP’s three-day nominating convention in Nassau County, starting on Monday. His running mate pick was expected to be announced at the convention.
Blakeman is eyeing a different upstate New York sheriff to become his nominee for lieutenant governor, according to the Times Union. Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood has not yet accepted the offer, and it remains to be seen whether he will make a decision by the end of the state GOP nominating convention this week.
Blakeman is expected to be nominated at some point during the convention, as he is the presumptive Republican nominee after Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) dropped out of the gubernatorial race in December. Shortly thereafter, the Nassau County official nabbed an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
“Bruce Blakeman is a FANTASTIC guy, will win the big November Election and, without hesitation, has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Governor of the ONCE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK (IT CAN BE GREAT AGAIN!),” Trump said in a glowing endorsement message on Truth Social. “BRUCE BLAKEMAN WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino, who is running as a Republican to succeed Stefanik in Congress, prematurely celebrated Blakeman’s selection of Giardino over the weekend.
HOCHUL TAPS FORMER NYC COUNCIL SPEAKER ADRIENNE ADAMS AS RUNNING MATE
Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced last week that former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams will be her running mate. The women-led ticket is being challenged by Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who chose former Buffalo mayoral candidate and socialist India Walton as his running mate last week.
New York’s primary election is scheduled for June 23, followed by the general election on Nov. 3.