Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared victory Tuesday in his re-election bid as Nassau County executive over Democratic challenger and county Legislator Seth Koslow.
Blakeman had 50.6% support to Koslow’s 43.1% with 76% of the vote counted late Tuesday night, the county’s board of elections results showed.
The Republican’s victory caps a bitter campaign that centered on public safety, property taxes and the county’s controversial partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Blakeman, who was first elected in 2021, is an ally of President Trump who campaigned as the pro-law enforcement candidate.
As an elected official, Blakeman countered the sanctuary policies of many municipalities by pledging to work closely with federal immigration authorities and even striking a deal with ICE to house detainees for the agency in county jail facilities.
The county exec received a boost from Trump in a Sunday Truth Social post, with the president calling Blakeman an “America First Patriot.”
“Bruce has been with us from the very beginning, and is 100% MAGA,” the president said.
“He is working tirelessly with the Brave Heroes of Law Enforcement, ICE, and Border Patrol to Safeguard our Communities, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, Keep our now very Secure Border SECURE, End Migrant Crime, and Stop Communism from ruining our once Great Cities,” Trump added in the post.
Blakeman had upset Democrat Laura Curran four years ago, flipping the county executive seat red for the first time since 2017.
His deal with the Trump administration has 10 Nassau detectives deputized to work directly with ICE to help arrest and deport illegal immigrants.
“[I am] blessed to have the support of President Trump who secured our borders, is killing drug cartels who are poisoning our kids and protecting American jobs!” Blakeman told The Post after receiving the endorsement of Trump.
Additional reporting by Matt Troutman
