Trump endorses Bruce Blakeman in New York governor's race after Stefanik's exit

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President Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman, a Republican region enforcement connected New York's Long Island, for politician connected Saturday, conscionable a time aft GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik announced her exit from the highly-contested race.

Mr. Trump initially signaled helium would not marque an endorsement astatine this stage, but Stefanik's exit cleared the mode for him to amusement his enactment for Blakeman, the two-term Nassau County Executive and a longtime state of the president.

In a Truth Social post connected Saturday, Mr. Trump said Blakeman is "MAGA each the way."

"As Nassau County Executive, helium is moving tirelessly with the Brave Heroes of ICE, Border Patrol, and Law Enforcement to Keep Our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Community, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER," Mr. Trump wrote.

In response, Blakeman said connected societal media that helium was "grateful and blessed" to person Mr. Trump's endorsement.

"President Trump loves New York and we volition beryllium partners successful making New York harmless and affordable," Blakeman said.

Mr. Trump called Blakeman aft helium entered the contention earlier this month, according to sources acquainted with the telephone call. He told the region enforcement that helium did not similar seeing "good Republicans" look each different successful an electoral battle, referring to Stefanik.

Republicans, who spot Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul arsenic vulnerable, were hoping to debar a divisive primary, which tin beryllium expensive. A Republican subordinate of Congress with nonstop cognition of the contention told CBS News they believed Stefanik yet concluded that a contested Republican superior would beryllium hard and perchance damaging, adjacent if she were apt to win.

Under New York GOP rules, candidates indispensable unafraid astatine slightest 25% of the weighted ballot astatine the authorities party's February normal to suffice for the June superior ballot, oregon different taxable nominating petitions.

Blakeman has gained a nationalist illustration for his blimpish stance, which has energized his GOP base. Issues that helped propel him to triumph successful November were his positions on, among different issues, immigration enforcement, transgender jock bans and opioid colony money. Mr. Trump besides endorsed the Nassau County enforcement for reelection implicit the summer.

New York has not elected a Republican politician since George Pataki won a 3rd word successful 2002.

Elijah Westbrook, Jeff Capellini, Marcia Kramer, Joe Walsh and Fin Daniel Gómez contributed to this report.