President Donald Trump was expected to speak at a Trump Syracuse rally in Syracuse on Friday night with Republican Bruce Blakeman. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is running for governor against Kathy Hochul as Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York by more than 2-to-1.
Bruce Blakeman in Syracuse
Trump was expected to speak at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Blakeman had said, when asked about his relationship with Trump, “I don't think it has an effect,” and added, “I've proved my independence over and over and over again. I make my own decisions. I call my own shots.”
Blakeman has pushed policies related to transgender athletes and Trump's immigration crackdown. He was also scheduled to rally with Trump in Syracuse on Friday night, giving his campaign a high-profile stage in a state where the math favors Democrats.
Trump and Zohran Mamdani
The rally came after Trump visited New York City last month and was chummy with Zohran Mamdani. Trump told Mamdani, “Hopefully you're going to be a great one,” a line that stood out against Blakeman's sharper alignment with Trump.
That contrast also sharpened the question around Blakeman's appeal: David Paterson said, “If his advertising to get the job is to champion Trump, it's going to create a whole lot of problems,” and said the alliance “could drive a lot of people who are in the middle over the edge.”
New York race pressure
Hochul has emphasized Blakeman's ties to Trump. Republicans in New York are trying to win over voters in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2-to-1, while the most closely watched U.S. House race in the state was described as hours away, with Mike Lawler trying to fend off Cait Conley.
The Syracuse appearance put Trump back in a campaign setting where his presence could help Blakeman energize loyal supporters and also force him to answer for that relationship in a race against an incumbent Democratic Gov who has already used it against him. What Trump planned to tell the Syracuse crowd was not explained.
