(The Center Square) — Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has tapped Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood as his running mate ahead of November’s election.
On Monday, Blakeman announced Hood as his pick for lieutenant governor to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and her running mate, former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.
Blakeman, 70, praised Hood for his law enforcement experience, saying in a statement that he has “spent his career protecting communities, managing complex public safety operations, and standing up for law-abiding New Yorkers.”
The endorsement comes as Blakeman appears poised to win the party’s nomination to run for governor at a three-day convention in Syracuse. It also comes hours after Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino declined to join him on the Republican ticket.
“I’m honored to join Bruce Blakeman in this fight to make New York safe and affordable again,” Hood said in a statement. “Together, Bruce and I will restore law and order, support law enforcement, protect victims, and respect taxpayers.”
Hood, a former Syracuse police officer, was elected to a third term as Madison County sheriff in November’s election. He served 22 years as a police officer, and has worked as a criminal and homicide investigator for the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, according to Blakeman’s campaign.
Blakeman is a fixture in Long Island politics and a longtime supporter of President Trump, and has embraced many of the president’s conservative policies on immigration and social issues such as transgender athletes competing in girls and womens’ sports. He has served as a county legislator, Hempstead town councilman, and a Port Authority commissioner.
On Friday, Hochul easily secured the backing of the state’s Democratic Party to run for reelection in November, fending off a long-shot challenge from her second in command, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who failed to win enough support from delegates to claim a spot on the ballot.
A recent Siena College poll showed Hochul leading Blakeman by 26 points, with her popularity increasing among voters.
But Republicans are undeterred about efforts to win back the governor’s office, banking that New Yorkers are upset at Hochul over her pro-immigration policies, and support for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, is urging the governor to support his plan to increase taxes on the city’s wealthiest to support his lefty agenda.
New York Congressman Mike Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican, was among those who endorsed Blakeman’s campaign this week as the party gears up to challenge Hochul.
“New York needs a governor who will restore common sense and sanity in Albany,” Lawler posted on X Monday. “Bruce Blakeman has a proven record of leadership — cutting taxes, backing our law enforcement, and delivering real results for families and small businesses. Albany is failing New Yorkers, and Bruce brings the experience, toughness, and clarity of purpose our state desperately needs.”
