Blakeman Announces for NYS Governor: Blasts Mamdani for Antisemitism

By Leader Staff

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Nassau) announced that he will be running for Governor of the State of New York, and took immediate aim at the far-left socialist policies - and open antisemitism - of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

One of Mamdani's first acts as NYC Mayor was to repeal an executive order protecting Jewish New Yorkers and recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Mamdani has previously endorsed the antisemitic concept of a "Global Intifada" targeting Jews around the world.

"That is a direct betrayal of nearly one million Jewish New Yorkers,” stated Blakeman.  “Mayor Mamdani wasted no time showing New Yorkers exactly who he is.”

"His very first executive action as mayor was not to address crime, public safety, or quality of life — it was to repeal protections for Jewish people," added Blakeman. "At a moment of exploding antisemitism, Mamdani sent a message that Jewish concerns are negotiable and Jewish safety is optional. It’s indefensible.”

The repealed executive order, issued by former Mayor Eric Adams, directed city agencies to use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism to identify, respond to, and raise awareness of antisemitic incidents across New York City. The order was widely recognized as a critical tool to ensure that antisemitic hate is taken seriously and addressed consistently, particularly as Jewish New Yorkers face historic levels of harassment, vandalism, threats, and violence across all five boroughs.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Buffalo) endorsed and campaigned for Mamdani, despite leading Democrats - such as US Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and NYS Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs - refusal to endorse Mamdani.

“We have kids afraid to wear yarmulkes. We have synagogues needing police protection. We have Jewish New Yorkers wondering whether their city still has their back, and Mayor Mamdani’s answer was to rip away one of the strongest tools the city had to fight antisemitism,” Blakeman added.

Blakeman also sharply criticized Hochul for her silence and cowardice, and called for her to immediately step in. 

“Governor Hochul must stop hiding behind political convenience,” Blakeman said. “She has a moral obligation to stand up to Mayor Mamdani and make clear that New York will not tolerate policies that weaken protections for Jewish people. Silence in the face of antisemitism is complicity.”

“There is no ambiguity here,” Blakeman concluded. “You either stand with Jewish New Yorkers, or you side with those who excuse hate. I will never stop fighting antisemitism — and I will never stay silent while leaders in this state dismantle protections for the people who need them most.”