On Saturday, Bruce Blakeman, the Republican contender for governor, aimed to win over affluent backers in the Hamptons by promising to abolish the proposed tax on luxury secondary residences initiated by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Mamdani.
The Nassau County executive mingled with an assembly of over 80 influential CEOs, philanthropists, and power players. This gathering was part of a nonpartisan business breakfast organized by billionaire supermarket and media tycoon John Catsimatidis at 75 Main, a trendy spot in Southampton.
During his 20-minute address to New York’s elite, Blakeman reiterated several key campaign promises. These included revoking New York’s “sanctuary state” status for undocumented immigrants, reducing utility costs, and issuing a pardon to former NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran, who was convicted of manslaughter after throwing a cooler at a fleeing drug suspect. Attendees shared these insights with The Post.
Blakeman received his most enthusiastic response when he vowed to block the contentious “pied-à-terre tax” proposed by Hochul and Mamdani. This tax would target secondary NYC residences owned by non-residents, affecting condos and co-ops valued at over $1 million and homes assessed at more than $5 million.
“Everyone in the Hamptons has a second home, so they’re keen on understanding the implications,” Catsimatidis mentioned to The Post. “Many cherish New York and wish to remain here, but they also want sensible policies to prevail.”
“A lot of people love New York and don’t want to move out of New York, but they want common sense to prevail.”
The billionaire also said Blakeman scored points by promising to block Mamdani’s push to dramatically increase New York’s inheritance tax — a move that would also hit the middle class.
“You don’t want to work hard all your life and give all your money to the state versus giving it to your kids,” he said.
The standing-room-only crowd included Cushman & Wakefield honcho Bruce Mosler, Suffolk County Conservative Party Chairman Michael Torres, power publicist Todd Shapiro, ex-New York Stock Exchange board member Linda Wachner, philanthropist and Sears Roebuck heiress Nina Rosenthal of Gatestone and ex-Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Richard Weinberg.
Blakeman’s appearance energized donors and political operatives already preparing for the 2026 governor’s race, according to sources who attended.
“One insider in the room predicted Bruce Blakeman could raise over $5 million from roughly a dozen fundraisers now being discussed by people attending this breakfast alone,” said a source.
Catsimatidis has a long history of drawing top Democratic and Republican elected officials and candidates to his power breakfasts, with past guests including Hochul, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Hochul is expected to be guest at a breakfast in August, said Catsimatidis.
