Republican candidate for New York governor Bruce Blakeman visited the Radio Catskill studios Monday for a wide-ranging interview about his campaign, his record as Nassau County Executive, and the issues he says will define the 2026 race for governor.
Blakeman, who was first elected Nassau County Executive in 2021 and reelected in 2025, is challenging Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. During the interview, he said his decision to run was driven by concerns over taxes, energy costs, public safety and the state’s economy.
“I’m here to fight for jobs so that our young people can stay here, safer communities, lower electric bills, and lower taxes,” Blakeman said.
The conversation also focused heavily on issues affecting the Catskills and other parts of Upstate New York.
Blakeman criticized the state’s current energy policies and spoke against large-scale solar development, including a proposed solar and battery storage project in Sullivan County. He said New York should pursue a broader energy mix that includes natural gas, nuclear power, hydroelectric power and geothermal energy alongside renewable sources.
The Nassau County executive also defended his fiscal record after being asked about criticism from Democratic lawmakers over how federal pandemic relief funding was used in Nassau County. Blakeman said federal and state reviews found the expenditures were authorized and pointed to budget surpluses, bond upgrades and his record on taxes.
Immigration enforcement was another major topic. Nassau County has worked with federal immigration authorities through a 287(g) agreement, and Blakeman said his administration was still reviewing how to respond to new state limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He defended Nassau County’s approach, saying the focus has been on people with criminal records.
Blakeman also weighed in on data center development. He criticized the state’s pause on new data center projects and argued that New York should instead work with developers and local governments to address concerns about water use, electricity demand and property taxes.
Healthcare and childcare were also part of the discussion, particularly access in rural communities such as Sullivan County. Blakeman said the state should invest more effectively in rural healthcare while reducing what he described as waste and inefficiency in Medicaid spending. On childcare, he said he supports tax relief for working families and called for a more predictable and sustainable approach to state assistance.
With Election Day approaching, Blakeman dismissed polling showing Hochul with a lead and said he believes the race is much closer. He also said he has agreed to participate in several debates, while Hochul has so far agreed to one scheduled for October 13.
Blakeman closed the interview by asking voters to compare his record in Nassau County with Hochul’s record as governor.
“I want to put New Yorkers first, and I want to make New Yorkers happy again,” Blakeman said.
