Blakeman declares victory in race for Nassau County executive

Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman declared victory Tuesday night in his race against Legis. Seth Koslow for Nassau County executive.

“Four years ago, we made promises. We said we wouldn’t be a sanctuary county. We said we would take the masks off the kids. … We said we wouldn’t raise taxes. We haven’t raised taxes one penny in four years,” Blakeman said.

Blakeman, 70, of Atlantic Beach, was seeking a second term after four years of on-time budgets that kept the property tax levy flat but dipped into reserve funds. In his reelection campaign, he promised to keep taxes low and boost security to thwart against a perceived threat from New York City if Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, should become mayor.

Koslow, 43, of Merrick, questioned the Blakeman administration on its right-leaning policies and spending on private law firms. He also has called for an investigation of the Blakeman-appointed former executive leadership of Nassau University Medical Center, the county's cash-strapped hospital for the poor and uninsured and proposed a reimbursement program for drivers who paid red-light camera fees.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.