President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in the race for New York Governor, barely 24 hours after another favorite of the President, North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik ended her bid. “Bruce Blakeman is a FANTASTIC guy, will win the big November Election and, without hesitation, has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote on social media. “Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” he posted. The president’s announcement comes less than two weeks after Blakeman launched his bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul. Trump had refused to take sides against either Blakeman or Stefanik, both seen as enthusiastic loyalists. “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people,” the president told reporters on Dec. 9, the day Blakeman formally began his quest. Blakeman said Saturday in a statement that he is “blessed and grateful” to receive the endorsement. “President Trump loves New York and we will be partners in making New York safe and affordable,” said Blakeman, who recently won reelection as Nassau’s Executive. Hochul’s campaign mocked the endorsement. “Blakeman should have learned a lesson from Elise Stefanik: MAGA sellouts don’t win New York,” said campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika. “Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman for one reason: he’ll put Trump first, New York last, and leave families to foot the bill,” she said in a statement. Hochul also faces a Democratic primary challenge from her Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado. Blakeman has gained attention for championing a policy that bans transgender athletes from using county sports facilities. He has also created a volunteer law enforcement unit that his critics have labeled as a militia and directed county detectives to work alongside federal authorities in Trump’s immigration crackdown. In a statement following Blakeman’s decision to run, a campaign spokesperson for Stefanik said: “It is unfortunate that he is putting his ego first to help prop up Kathy Hochul.” In her announcement Friday, Stefanik also announced she will not seek re-election to Congress, ending a run that began with her victory in 2014. President Trump had briefly nominated her to serve as UN Ambassador in his second term, but withdrew her name over fears her upstate seat could be lost to a Democrat in the next election. ...read more read less