Bruce Blakeman pushes law-and-order and tax-cut message in BronxNet interview

Bruce Blakeman, the Republican Nassau County executive and a declared candidate for New York governor, used an interview on BronxNet to make public-safety and tax-cutting the centerpieces of his campaign pitch.

"We protect our police officers," Blakeman said, describing investments in equipment, training and intelligence as the reason his county, he said, "was named the safest county in America" by U.S. News & World Report. He told host David Lesch he has not raised county taxes in four years and said he will prioritize public safety statewide if elected.

Blakeman sharply criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration, alleging it has made New York "the most overtaxed state in America" and blamed state policy for high electric bills. He also accused the state of spending "8 and a half billion dollars on illegal migrants," saying such expenditures burden middle-class taxpayers. Those claims were presented as the candidate's assertions during the interview and were not substantiated on air.

On policy proposals, Blakeman said he favors childcare tax credits for working parents rather than unconditional cash payments. "If you're working, I'll give you help," he said, framing the credits as a tool to help families afford quality childcare while discouraging nonwork-based benefits.

Asked about public safety in New York City, Blakeman called current state criminal-justice policy "a revolving door of criminality," criticized reforms he said limit police, and praised the New York Police Department. He said he had been meeting community leaders in the Bronx and elsewhere to build support, and urged voters concerned about taxes, high electric bills and safety to back his campaign. He directed viewers to blakemanfornewyork.com for more information.

The interview was promotional in tone and did not include on-air fact checks of the candidate's numerical claims or citations beyond his statements and the name-check of U.S. News & World Report. The program concluded with standard closing remarks and a brief break before the next segment.