New York law enforcement leaders from across the state endorsed Bruce Blakeman for governor on his Nassau County home turf — calling him the “common sense” choice over Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“This election is not about Democrat versus Republican. It’s about common sense,” Nassau Police Benevolent Association president Tommy Shevlin said outside the county’s third police precinct in Williston Park Monday afternoon.
“It’s time to save our state before we all have to move to Florida,” he added. “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 also joined by leaders from the Nassau County Corrections Benevolent Association, the Buffalo PBA, the United Coalition of Public Safety and Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood — who rallied behind Blakeman as a results-getter who could fix the state like he did Nassau.
Blakeman — who is now serving as the elected Nassau County executive — has touted his Long Island community as “the safest county in America” throughout his campaign, citing the more than 25% drop in major crimes he oversaw since taking office in 2022.
He’s vowed to roll out his crimefighting policies across the state if elected on Nov. 3, including promises to fill the state parole board with people dedicated to putting “community first” and keeping the streets free from offenders.
Blakeman also notably said he’d pardon ex-Sgt. Erik Duran, the NYPD former officer sentenced to three years in prison after fatally hurling a plastic cooler at a drug suspect fleeing arrest.
Blakeman on Monday accused Hochul of making the state less safe, saying there would be a “crisis on our hands” if Albany didn’t rein in socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his leftist ideas.
“Kathy Hochul won’t do that. We know she won’t do that because she’s in lockstep with him,” he 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, all they do is make it easier for criminals to prey on our communities,” Blakeman added.
Blakeman wasn’t the only candidate to receive police backing on Monday, as Hochul was endorsed by the state 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,” NYS 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.”
But not all cop groups joined in the endorsements this election cycle — with the NYC PBA and other city law enforcement unions notably declining to pick a side.
Hochul has maintained a steady lead ahead of Blakeman with just a week to go before the midterms — topping him by about 14 points at about 55% to 41%.
