Blakeman vows to confront Mamdani over antisemitism claims

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican candidate for New York governor, tells JNS he has grown more religious in recent years and that faith has deepened his resolve to protect the state's Jewish community. Blakeman said that if elected governor, he would use his office's authority to confront New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over what he called "virulently antisemitic" rhetoric. "I wouldn't let Zohran Mamdani get away with the virulent antisemitic comments he's made," Blakeman told JNS, adding he would warn Mamdani to stop and take action if he refused. The remarks signal a campaign built partly on positioning Blakeman as a strong ally of Jewish New Yorkers against progressive city leadership.