New York state court officers endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman for governor on Wednesday, marking the first time in at least two decades that their unions have publicly backed a candidate for the state’s top office.
The Supreme Court Officers Association and Court Officers Association said the Nassau County executive earned their support because “he has made public safety a central part of his public service.” The unions also accused Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Democrats of allowing staffing levels to fall while leaving officers increasingly exposed to danger on the job.
“This election is about more than politics; it’s about public safety and respect for the rule of law,” Patrick Cullen, president of the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association, said during a news conference outside Manhattan Criminal Court.
“Bruce Blakeman has made public safety a central part of his public service,” Cullen said. “His record as Nassau County executive and his emphasis on supporting law enforcement reflect the priorities that court officers want to see taken seriously at the state level.”
Sgt. Thomas Hickey, president of the state Court Officers Association, said the union had reviewed its history over the past “20-something years” and could not recall publicly endorsing any candidate for governor.
“And none of us, no matter how far back we went, can remember endorsing a Republican,” Hickey said.
Union leaders said their ranks have dwindled under Hochul and New York’s Democratic leadership. They also criticized outdated courthouse security equipment and argued that bail reform laws have allowed more people accused of violent offenses to repeatedly return to courthouses.
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“They see that the people coming in don’t have any regard for law and order inside the courthouse,” Hickey said. “They realize there are no consequences for being disruptive, so they come back and commit crimes again and again inside the courthouse.”
Hickey said the metal detectors used at courthouse entrances are outdated and can be bypassed too easily.
“These people are bringing in 4D weapons that are not picked up by magnetometers,” he said. “So what you have is a situation where there are fewer court officers because we’re short-staffed, and there are people coming in with knives that the equipment can’t detect.”
Blakeman, who trails Hochul in polling with the election just two weeks away, has made public safety a central theme of his campaign. He has repeatedly criticized Democrats in Albany and New York City, accusing them of underfunding police departments, allowing violent offenders to remain free under lax bail laws and failing to support law enforcement.
“Kathy Hochul, her priorities are all upside down,” Blakeman told reporters. “After this year, we will have spent $10 billion on illegal migrants who just claim asylum. They get free food, free housing, free transportation, free cellphones and free health care.”
“That’s money that I would be spending on law enforcement, on our court system, on infrastructure, on our schools and on our hospitals,” he said. “Cutting taxes and cutting utility bills.”
Together, the two unions represent about 4,000 active and retired members. Their officers patrol courthouses and maintain order in courtrooms across New York state.
