# New York gubernatorial race developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-gubernatorial-race-developments
> Updated: 2026-09-22T21:37:55.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican candidate for Governor of New York, has secured a significant endorsement from the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA).

Following a landslide vote of approximately 1,370 to 78, the union shifted support away from incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. The union cited a crisis in state prisons characterized by understaffing and violence. In response to this endorsement, Blakeman has pledged to increase pay for correction officers, prevent further prison closures, and ease restrictions on solitary confinement by rolling back provisions of the HALT Act.

Separately, Blakeman has proposed a $4.6 billion budget for Nassau County for the 2027 fiscal year, which aims to add hundreds of new positions, including 36 police officers, while attempting to avoid property tax increases.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-22: Bruce Blakeman secures correction officers union endorsement

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman secured an endorsement from the NYSCOPBA, promising to roll back solitary confinement restrictions and increase pay for correction officers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bruce-blakeman-secures-correction-officers-union-endorsement

### 2026-09-15: Bruce Blakeman proposes Nassau County budget and gains union endorsement

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman proposed a $4.6 billion budget without property tax hikes and received a landslide endorsement from New York's correctional officers for his gubernatorial campaign.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bruce-blakeman-proposes-nassau-county-budget-and-gains-union-endorsement

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Cite as: New York gubernatorial race developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-gubernatorial-race-developments