Law enforcement leaders from across New York gathered in Nassau County, Bruce Blakeman’s home base, to endorse the county executive’s campaign for governor and portray him as the “common sense” alternative to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“This election is not about Democrat versus Republican. It’s about common sense,” Nassau Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin said Monday afternoon outside the county’s Third Police Precinct in Williston Park.
“It’s time to save our state before we all have to move to Florida,” Shevlin said. “Bruce Blakeman can save our state. He will make this the safest state in the country, just like he did here in this county.”
Shevlin was joined by representatives of the Nassau County Corrections Benevolent Association, the Buffalo PBA, the United Coalition of Public Safety and Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood. The group promoted Blakeman as a leader who delivers results and could apply his Nassau County record statewide.
Blakeman, who currently serves as Nassau County executive, has repeatedly described the Long Island county as “the safest county in America.” His campaign points to a more than 25% decline in major crime since he took office in 2022.
If elected Nov. 3, Blakeman has pledged to bring his public-safety agenda to communities across New York. Among his proposals is reshaping the state parole board with members committed to putting “community first” and keeping repeat offenders off the streets.
He has also said he would pardon former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, who was sentenced to three years in prison after fatally throwing a plastic cooler at a drug suspect fleeing an arrest.
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At Monday’s event, Blakeman accused Hochul of making New York less safe and warned of a “crisis on our hands” unless state leaders move to curb the influence of socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his left-wing policies.
“Kathy Hochul won’t do that. We know she won’t do that because she’s in lockstep with him,” Blakeman said. “The 10 Commandments say, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ She changed it to ‘Thou shalt not steal – except in New York.’”
“People feel less safe in their communities because of Kathy Hochul’s policies,” Blakeman added. “All they do is make it easier for criminals to prey on our communities.”
Blakeman was not the only gubernatorial candidate to secure police support Monday. Hochul received the endorsement of the state’s police union.
“Governor Hochul has invested nearly $4 billion on public safety initiatives that have benefited police officers, law enforcement agencies, and communities throughout New York State,” New York State PBA President Chris Rola said in a statement.
“Her investments have resulted in a 10% reduction in index crimes, including a 60% decline in shooting related deaths,” Rola said.
Still, the endorsements have not been universal. The NYC PBA and several other city law enforcement unions have opted not to support either candidate during this election cycle.
With the midterms just one week away, Hochul continues to hold a significant polling advantage over Blakeman. She leads by roughly 14 percentage points, with support standing at about 55% compared with his 41%.
