Touting Blakeman, Trump also focuses on congressional seats

President Donald Trump came to Long Island to tout gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman and proceeded to say that’s not the race he cares about the most in New York.

In doing so, the president made clear the outcome of congressional races is a higher personal priority, yet the rub is that those contests are tied to Blakeman’s run against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“Trump’s remark reflects the institutional reality that control of Congress is the national party’s overriding priority, but as he so often does, he frames it in a completely self-interested way,” Christopher Malone, who recently stepped down as associate provost at Farmingdale State College, said in an email.

“Further, Trump presents this as an either/or choice, when in fact a strong Blakeman campaign could increase Republican enthusiasm, fundraising and turnout on Long Island, potentially helping GOP congressional and legislative candidates,” Malone added. “A weak campaign could have the opposite effect.”

At issue was a remark Trump made last week while visiting a Nassau County police training facility, a trip to tout Blakeman, the county executive and Republican candidate for governor.

“If you said, ‘Would you rather have Bruce Blakeman win, or all of your congresspeople?’ I don't know, Bruce,” Trump said. “I think I'm gonna have to give you up. I might have to take the congresspeople. It's so important.”

Focus on Congress

It was unusual for a politician to attend a rally for a colleague, then sort of downplay the race or the party’s chances, analysts said.

“Sometimes, Trump’s comments are on the clumsy side and this is one of those times,” said Glenn Altschuler, professor emeritus of American studies at Cornell University. “This is his way of saying I’m focusing on the small number of congressional seats” that will determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

That includes two Long Island seats currently held by Democrats, Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre).

Republicans currently hold a 219-212 edge in the House, with four vacancies.

Hochul leads Blakeman by 10 percentage points in the latest Siena University poll. The Nassau County executive is trying to become New York’s first Republican governor since George Pataki finished the last of his three terms on Dec. 31, 2006.

“I’m sure Blakeman was not delighted with that formulation,” Altschuler said of Trump’s “give you up” remark. “It doesn’t do any good for Blakeman. It also doesn’t do any good for any of the congressional candidates.”

Trickle-down effect

That’s because the gubernatorial candidates — Blakeman and Hochul — are at the top of the election ballot and their showing often has a trickle-down impact on races for Congress, as well as State Legislature and local races.

For example, Hochul defeated Republican Lee Zeldin in 2022 by 6 percentage points, but it was a margin that was far closer than originally projected. National Republicans blamed Hochul for Democrats losing some key down-ballot congressional races in New York, which helped the GOP win the House majority.

Besides the Nassau seats on Long Island, Republicans are trying to defend two Suffolk County seats, held by Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville).

Another key race in New York is in the Hudson Valley, where Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River) is facing Democrat Cait Conley.

“Trump likes Blakeman, but if he doesn’t have Congress, he’s out of business,” said veteran Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf. “He’s telling you what he cares about.”

Yet that shouldn’t be viewed as an insult or strike against the Nassau County executive.

“If Blakeman were at the bottom of his priority list, he wouldn’t have been on Long Island,” Sheinkopf said. “Is he undermining Blakeman? No, he’s telling people to vote Republican.”

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy