Bruce Blakeman
10th Executive of Nassau County
Assumed office
January 1, 2022
Preceded byLaura Curran
Member of the Nassau County Legislature
from the 7th district
In office
January 1, 1995 – December 31, 1999
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byJeff Toback
Personal details
Born (1955-10-02) October 2, 1955
Valley Stream, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationArizona State University, Tempe (BA)
California Western School of Law (JD)

Bruce Arthur Blakeman (born October 2, 1955) is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the 10th County Executive of Nassau County, New York.[1] He was elected in the 2021 election, defeating Democratic incumbent Laura Curran. He previously served as the commissioner for the New York-New Jersey Port Authority as well as a Nassau County legislator and Hempstead town councilman.

Early life and education

Blakeman was born in Valley Stream, New York. He attended Valley Stream Central High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government from Arizona State University and a Juris Doctor from the California Western School of Law.[2]

Early career

Bruce Blakeman was first elected to the Hempstead Town Council in 1993.[3]

In 1993, federal district court judge Arthur D. Spatt ruled Nassau County's Board of Supervisors to be in violation of one man, one vote. The Board of Supervisors authorized the creation of the Nassau County Legislature as a successor to their body. Elections were held in November 1995, and Blakeman, at the time a Hempstead town Councilman, was elected to the first legislative class to represent the 7th district. He was also elected the body's first presiding officer.[4] The body took their seats on January 1, 1996.

In 1998, Blakeman was the Republican nominee for New York State Comptroller, he lost in the general election to incumbent Democrat Carl McCall.

During a particularly bad election year for Nassau County Republicans, Blakeman lost his seat in the Legislature in the election of November 1999 to Jeff Toback, and the Republicans lost the majority.

In June 2001, Blakeman was appointed by Governor George Pataki as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He held that position until 2009.[5][6] He was a commissioner during the September 11th attacks.

In 2007, as a member of the law firm Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einige, Blakeman brokered a deal with Canon Inc. to keep their headquarters on Long Island, and retain over 1,100 jobs for local residents. Canon was planning on moving out of state.[7]

In 2010, Blakeman ran for United States Senate after Hillary Clinton resigned the seat to become U.S. secretary of state, which triggered a special election. Governor David Paterson appointed then-Representative Kirsten Gillibrand, who would win the Democratic nomination for the special election. Blakeman lost the Republican primary to former Congressman Joe DioGuardi.[8] In 2014, Blakeman ran for the open 4th congressional district, after Democratic U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy announced her retirement. He won the Republican Nomination, and went head to head with Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. He lost 53%-47%.[9][10]

Law enforcement and Homeland Security

Bruce Blakeman served as vice-chairman of security for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2001 to 2009, overseeing security for the PATH commuter railway, interstate bridges and tunnels, airports, and seaports as well as the World Trade Center.[5]

Blakeman holds a certificate in Homeland Security management from Long Island University.[11]

Hempstead Town Councilman

In January 2015, Blakeman was appointed to the Hempstead Town Council, replacing James Darcy[12][3] after previously serving on the Hempstead Town Council from 1993 to 1995.[3]

In 2017, Blakeman joined fellow Republican councilwoman Erin King-Sweeney in endorsing Democratic challenger Laura Gillen in the race for Hempstead Town Supervisor.[13] Gillen, who ran against incumbent Town Supervisor Republican Anthony Santino, went on to win the election, becoming the first Democratic Hempstead Town Supervisor in over 100 years.[14] Gillen named Blakeman Deputy Town Supervisor.[15][16]

In 2019, Blakeman and King-Sweeney endorsed Republican Receiver of Taxes Donald X. Clavin Jr. against Democratic Town Supervisor Laura Gillen for Town Supervisor.[17] Clavin went on to win against Gillen.[18]

Blakeman was succeeded on the Hempstead town council by GOP Assemblywoman Melissa Miller.[19]

Nassau County Executive

In March 2021, Blakeman was chosen by Nassau Republicans to run against incumbent Democratic Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.[20] He defeated her by 2,150 votes.[21]

On September 19, 2022, Blakeman introduced his annual budget proposal. This proposal did not raise nor lower taxes, and added nearly 100 additional police and law enforcement jobs to the County payroll.[22]

Blakeman also endorsed U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin of Shirley for Governor of New York in the 2022 November General Election against incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul.[23]

On January 11, 2023, County Executive Blakeman joined Nassau Republican Chairman Joseph Cairo and other elected officials to call for the resignation of Congressman George Santos. Blakeman pledged not to work with Santos; criticizing him for lying about his resume, and falsely claiming his grandparents were Holocaust survivors.[24][25]

COVID mandates

Before taking office, Blakeman pledged to fight actions imposed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic, such as the face mask mandate in public school districts and public places, including businesses. On January 6, 2022, he signed an executive order making masks optional. After a Nassau County Supreme Court Justice declared Governor Hochul's mask mandate unconstitutional, Blakeman pushed for all local mandates be made optional. However, the New York Court of Appeals stayed the ruling pending appeal.[26] Blakeman also refused to support a vaccine mandate for county workers.[27]

Bail Reform

After taking office, County Executive Blakeman signed an Executive Order directing the Nassau County PD to record the number of criminals released under the Bail Reform law passed under former Governor Andrew Cuomo. He has since called for the repeal of such bail reform law, citing statistics showing over 9,000 Nassau criminals being released and committing new crimes once released, as well as the general uptick in middle-of-the-night robberies of people's vehicles.[28]

On March 31, 2023, in response to the state legislature's failure to fix or repeal bail reform, Blakeman created a new Nassau County Police unit modeled after New York City's Hercules team, to help deter crime and decrease response times. Blakeman Split the county up into four quadrants, and assigned 4 teams of five cars per quadrant who patrol with their lights on, traveling under the speed limit to increase visibility.[29][30]

Ukraine

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Blakeman helped conduct a rifle drive which resulted in the collection of 60 rifles for Ukraine.[31]

County events

In May 2022, Blakeman Honored Uniondale Native and UFC Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling by proclaiming a day in his honor. A full motorcade and ceremony at Uniondale High School was held to mark the occasion.[32]

On July 30, 2022, Blakeman held a "Nassau is Back" concert featuring Long Island native Joan Jett that attracted a record 25,000 residents, and honored healthcare workers and first responders who served during the pandemic. The concert was held at Eisenhower Park and was meant to encourage more residents to come and visit the county and shop locally.[33][34]

In November 2022, Blakeman held a Nassau County Thanksgiving celebration at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, honoring Nassau County native, TikTok star and singer-songwriter Madison Beer.[35]

On July 8, 2023, Blakeman Hosted R&B Group Boyz ll Men at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park. 40,000 residents attended, making it the largest free concert in Nassau County History, surpassing the previous record of 25,000 set the year prior when Joan Jett performed.[36][37]

Nassau Coliseum

On January 12, 2023, Blakeman announced on social media that Las Vegas Sands entertainment company submitted a bid to lease the property of the Nassau Coliseum and construct an entertainment venue consisting of a casino, hotels, and outdoor community spaces.[38] Since the announcement, parts of the local community surrounding the Coliseum has spoken out against it, citing a potential increase of traffic and congestion in the area.[39]

On April 26, 2023, County Executive Blakeman held a press conference with Las Vegas Sands chief executive officer Rob Goldstein, union leaders, members of the NAACP, chambers of commerce and other community leaders to announce a deal with Sands to transfer the lease for the old Coliseum site to the corporation for the purpose of building a $4 billion resort and Casino.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sands will pay the county $54 million within 60 days of legislative approval, with a estimated total annual revenue of $96.3 million if a casino is built and $7.9 annually if there is no casino.[40][41][42][43]

On May 22, 2023, the Nassau County Legislature voted 17-1 with one recusal to transfer the Coliseum lease to the Sands. As part of the bipartisan vote that included all of the legislators who represent the surrounding areas voting in the affirmative, Sands officials promised additional funding for various community projects.[44][45][46]

On November 10, 2023, a New York State Judge struck down the deal agreed upon by Nassau County and Las Vegas Sands entertainment company, citing the County did not adequately provide enough transparent, public hearings for the project. As of now, the County would have to reinitiate the process and hold more thorough hearings and re-vote in order to continue with the casino initiative.[47]

Support for Daniel Penny

On May 24, 2023, Blakeman held a rally and press conference in support of Long Islander and former United States Marine Daniel Penny. Penny was arrested by the NYPD on a charge of fatally choking Jordan Neely, a homeless man, aboard a New York City subway train on May 1 in Chinatown.[48][49]

Jordan Neely had a lengthy arrest record with New York police, including 42 arrests on charges including petty larceny, jumping subway turnstiles, theft, and three unprovoked assaults on women in the subway between 2019 and 2021. Daniel Penny choked Jordan Neely for fifteen minutes, killing him.[48][49]

Passengers on the subway said that Neely was acting in a threatening manner.[48][49]

Blakeman, standing with over 60 Military veterans Stated he held the rally "...because every day tens of thousands of Nassau County residents commute to New York City — to do jobs, to explore entertainment, to go to cultural sites, to enjoy everything that Manhattan has to offer. But I'm worried about them. I'm worried about our Nassau County residents."[48]

At one point, 3 counter-demonstrators were forced to the ground by police or court officers and arrested.[48][49]

Viral Water Balloon Video

While walking in the annual Stewart Manor 4 July parade, a 10-year-old girl, threw a water balloon at Blakeman from 100 feet away striking him in the head. It is a long-standing tradition to throw water balloons at fire engines, and politicians at this parade.[50][51]

Blakeman obtained a video of the strike and posted it across social media with the caption "The Mets and Yankees could certainly use her". The video immediately went viral, having been seen more than 40 million times across all platforms.[52]

At one point, many thought the balloon was thrown at former Vice President Mike Pence.[50][51]

Blakeman was able to locate the girl, 10 year old Alexa Cardona from Franklin Square, NY and her family, and worked with New York Yankees President Randy Levine to bring her to a Yankee game and enjoy watching batting practice from the field.[52][51]

On the field, Blakeman and Cardona spoke with many Yankee players who had seen the video, and complimented her on her arm.[50][52][53][51]

The Migrant Crisis

On August 16, 2023, Democratic Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said Nassau Coliseum should be among the options for housing some of the thousands of migrants currently in New York City. During a Media availability, Blakeman responded to Richards' claim saying "Let me make it clear — one more time — Nassau County is not a sanctuary county. We have no plans to have any migrant program here in Nassau County,".[54]

One week Later, Governor Hochul said she would not force counties to shelter migrants saying "...we cannot, and will not, force other parts of our state to shelter migrants. Nor are we going to be asking these migrants to move to other parts of the state against their will," [55][56]

2024 Men's T20 Cricket World Cup

On September 20, 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced 10 worldwide sites to host the 2024 Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, with one of the locations being at Nassau County's Eisenhower Park. Following the announcement by the ICC, Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman joined with over 100 cricket players from across the county and Tri-state area to celebrate the news.[57][58][59]

The event, which is scheduled to take place in June 2024, is expected to be seen by more than 1.5 billion people all over the world. A temporary stadium will be built in Eisenhower Park that will hold 34,000 spectators for each match over the course of the 6 day event.[57][58][59]

The War In Israel

Following the terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman held a rally where 6,000 Long Island residents packed Eisenhower Park at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater to support Israel. Newsday said, the rally, the largest on Long Island since the conflict broke out Saturday on Israel's border with Gaza, attracted residents of all ages, many waving miniature Israeli flags and wearing caps, distributed by organizers, that read: "Never Again." Essentials, such as knee pads, batteries, headlamps, gloves, hygiene products, and sleeping bags, were also collected to send to the frontlines for aid.[60][61]

On November 28, 2023, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called for the resignation of Hofstra's President, Dr. Susan Poser, for her antisemitic statement about the Hamas attacks in Israel. Dr. Poser stated in a letter sent to the Hofstra community, "That event, Israel's response, and the ongoing conflict are taking the lives of thousands of people, with no end in sight," she continued, "We mourn the loss of life in Israel and Gaza, which is deeply affecting many members of our community. There is a complex history and conflicting views about the causal underpinnings of the current crisis. This is one of the reasons that lasting peace in that part of the world has been so elusive and contested. But what is not contested is the tragic loss of life of innocent Israelis, Palestinians, and many others." Blakeman's response, "I was shocked by the comments made by Dr. Poser concerning the barbaric and cowardly attack on innocent women and children by Hamas, a vicious terrorist organization," Blakeman, Nassau's first Jewish County Executive, wrote. "Dr. Poser's statements on the brutal and cowardly murder of babies and raping of women by Hamas equating moral equivalence between Hamas' terrorist slaughter of innocent women and children with the contested political agenda of the Palestinian people is so misguided and antithetical to good moral values and judgment that it puts into question her ability to lead Nassau County's largest private university."[62][63][64][65]

Personal life

Blakeman married Segal Blakeman in 2015.[66] He has one son, Arlen,[67] and two step children, Ariel and Avi. Blakeman's father was Assemblyman Robert M. Blakeman. His mother Betty passed away in 1995. His mother, Betty, served in the Army and his father, Robert, was a Merchant Marine and later Naval Reserve Officer. His brother is Brad Blakeman, who was the Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush.[68] Blakeman is the first Jewish Nassau County Executive.[69]

His nephew, NYS Court Officer Tommy Jurgens, was killed in the line of duty on 9/11 while assisting in the evacuation of Tower 2 of the World Trade Center. Blakeman provided a DNA sample to identify his nephew's remains.[70]

References

  1. ↑ "County Executive | Nassau County, NY - Official Website". www.nassaucountyny.gov.
  2. ↑ "Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran". Newsday. March 15, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Blakeman back on the town board". Herald Community Newspapers. January 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Bruce Blakeman's time as presiding officer in '90s cited in current Congressional race". October 24, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "GOP Ex-Port Authority Commissioner: Lane Closure 'Highly Suspect'". The New York Observer. September 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Candidate - Bruce A. Blakeman". OurCampaigns.com.
  7. ↑ "$103M Land Grab Keeps Canon in Long Island". globest.com. June 6, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  8. ↑ "2010 United States Senate special election in New York", Wikipedia, January 20, 2022, retrieved February 3, 2022
  9. ↑ "Former county legislator announces run for Congress". Herald Community Newspapers. February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ "2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New York", Wikipedia, February 3, 2022, retrieved February 3, 2022
  11. ↑ "New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association". New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association.
  12. ↑ "Bruce Blakeman, Erin King Sweeney appointed to Hempstead Town Board". January 14, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Blakeman crosses party lines, endorses Gillen for town supervisor". Herald Community Newspapers. October 27, 2017.
  14. ↑ Klar, Rebecca (January 2, 2018). "Laura Gillen sworn in as Town of Hempstead's first Democratic town supervisor in 100 years - News".
  15. ↑ "Bruce Blakeman Named Deputy Town Supervisor". Garden City, NY Patch. January 8, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Bruce Blakeman appointed Hempstead Town deputy supervisor". Newsday. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Hempstead council members Blakeman and King Sweeney endorse Don Clavin for supervisor". Newsday. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Clavin claims win, Gillen doesn't concede in Hempstead supervisor race". Newsday. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Miller to succeed Blakeman on Hempstead town board". Herald Community Newspapers. February 9, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran". Newsday. March 15, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Bruce Blakeman defeats Laura Curran for Nassau executive after count of absentees". Newsday. November 17, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Nassau exec proposes 2023 budget with no tax increase, more cops". Newsday. September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  23. ↑ Cleary, Nolan (February 16, 2022). "Blakeman Endorses Lee Zeldin for Governor". theleader. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  24. ↑ "More Republicans call for scandal-plagued Congressman George Santos to resign". PBS. January 12, 2023.
  25. ↑ "George Santos Rebuked by Nassau County GOP: Resign". MSN.
  26. ↑ "NY Mask Mandate to Stay in Place During Appeals Process as Core COVID Rates Plunge". NBC New York. February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Bruce Blakeman: I won't mandate vaccines for Nassau County workers". Newsday. November 6, 2021.
  28. ↑ Pelaez, Robert (January 26, 2022). "Executive order allows Nassau Police Department to publish bail status, case information of repeat offenders - Featured". The Island Now. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Nassau police launch patrol unit to deter crime at schools, houses of worship". Newsday. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Nassau County police implementing new strategy with more visible patrols". www.cbsnews.com. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  31. ↑ Cergol, Greg (March 3, 2022). "NY Official Seeks Gun Donations for Ukraine, But Unclear How Ukrainians Would Get Firearms". Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Aljamain Sterling Day at Uniondale High School". newsday.com. May 23, 2022.
  33. ↑ Lovece, Frank (July 11, 2022). "Joan Jett playing free concert at Eisenhower Park". Newsday.
  34. ↑ "Joan Jett and the Blackhearts play 'Nassau is Back' concert". July 31, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Long Island organizations team up with singer Madison Beer for Thanksgiving food drive". ABC7 New York. November 14, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Boyz II Men concert at Eisenhower Park sets attendance record - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  37. ↑ Lovece, Frank (July 9, 2023). "Boyz II Men's free Eisenhower Park show breaks attendance records". Newsday. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  38. ↑ Winzelberg, David (January 12, 2023). "Sands to buy Coliseum lease to develop casino". Long Island Business News. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Residents oppose casino plan for Nassau Coliseum grounds". Newsday. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Las Vegas casino giant wants to develop area around Nassau Coliseum". CBS News. January 13, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Nassau officials reach new lease agreement with Las Vegas Sands at Coliseum site". news12.com. April 26, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Nassau County strikes deal with Las Vegas Sands to bring casino to area". abc7ny.com. April 26, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Las Vegas Sands lease gets OK from Nassau Planning Commission". newsday.com. April 27, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Las Vegas Sands lease gets final approval from Nassau legislators". Newsday. May 23, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  45. ↑ Winzelberg, David (May 23, 2023). "Nassau Legislature approves Coliseum lease transfer to Sands". Long Island Business News. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  46. ↑ Tomassetti, Briella (May 23, 2023). "Lawmakers approve transfer of Nassau Coliseum to Las Vegas Sands". Fox 5 NY. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  47. ↑ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  48. 1 2 3 4 5 "NYC rally supporting chokehold suspect Daniel Penny, organized by Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman, disrupted by counter-demonstrators". Newsday. May 24, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  49. 1 2 3 4 Siff, Andrew (May 25, 2023). "NYC Rally In Support of Subway Chokehold Suspect Daniel Penny Leads to 3 Arrests". NBC New York. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  50. 1 2 3 "NY Yankees Honor Girl Who Beaned Politician With Water Balloon". Inside Edition. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  51. 1 2 3 4 "Yankees honor fifth-grade girl who drilled Long Island politician with water balloon throw in viral video". CBSSports.com. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  52. 1 2 3 Wallace, Danielle (August 2, 2023). "Yankees praise 'impressive' arm of girl who pelted NY politician with water balloon". Fox News. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  53. ↑ Melnick, Kyle (August 3, 2023). "She nailed a politician with a water balloon. The Yankees were impressed". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Coliseum should be option for migrant housing, top Queens official says". Newsday. August 18, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  55. ↑ Roy, Yancey (August 25, 2023). "Hochul: State won't force counties to accept migrants; Adams earlier had sought shelters on LI, elsewhere". Newsday. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Adams: Gov. Hochul 'wrong' to not force counties to accept migrants". Newsday. August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  57. 1 2 "Nassau announces plan for stadium at Eisenhower Park to host Cricket World Cup". News 12 - Long Island. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  58. 1 2 Barot, Dhruv (September 21, 2023). "2024 T20 World Cup: USA's Venues and Schools Engagement Program Unveiled". USA Cricket. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  59. 1 2 "Nassau hosting cricket, student tests, DOJ, more". Newsday. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  60. ↑ Asbury, John (October 11, 2023). "Long Islanders rally to support Israel in war with 'the face of evil'". Newsday. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  61. ↑ Staff, Newsday (October 10, 2023). "'Heartbroken' Long Islanders rally in support of Israel, shaken over death toll". Newsday. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  62. ↑ Kate Sheehy; Carl Campanile (November 27, 2023). "Top LI pol demands resignation of Hofstra prez over Israel-Hamas statement: 'Callous and unconscionable'". New York Post. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  63. ↑ Wallace, Danielle (November 27, 2023). "NY official demands resignation of college president who claimed 'complex history' after Hamas terror attack". Fox News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  64. ↑ "Nassau County executive calls on Hofstra president to resign over Israel-Hamas statement". News 12 - Long Island. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  65. ↑ Amid, Roksana (December 8, 2023). "Blakeman, Poser clash over Israel-Hamas comments". LI Herald. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  66. ↑ "Blakeman's wife leaves county job". Newsday. May 22, 2015.
  67. ↑ Agate, Samantha (March 15, 2023). "Paul McCartney and Wife Nancy Shevell Enjoy St. Barts Trip: Photos".
  68. ↑ "Brad Blakeman - Tunnel to Towers Foundation". t2t.org.
  69. ↑ Kornbluh, Jacob (January 2, 2022). "Interview with Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County's First Jewish Executive, guided by Orthodox tradition". The Forward. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  70. ↑ "In Cedarhurst, pol shares 9/11 luck, sorrow".
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