Republican Bruce Blakeman has officially announced he will seek the New York governorship, setting up a primary between him and NY-21 Representative Elise Stefanik.  In his video message

Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, will take on Representative Elise Stefanik in the GOP primary for New York governor.

The New York gubernatorial hopeful has made it clear she will go after not only her political opponents but members of her own party.

Unprecedented early support consolidation gives Stefanik the presumptive GOP nomination for New York governor, leaving rivals to petition onto the ballot instead.

“President Trump was clear in the remarks he made yesterday, and no one should pretend to speak for him,” said Chris Boyle, a spokesman for Blakeman, on Tuesday.

Stefanik has to beat her GOP primary opponent by appealing to a base that could backfire on her in the general election, a tough balancing act.

A Republican measure in the annual defense bill would force the FBI to disclose investigations of federal candidates within 15 days, boosting transparency in elections.

See, it could be worse! Gov. Kathy Hochul once again stepped in it this week, giving a baffling response to gubernatorial rival Rep. Elise Stefanik’s attack that New York is the “most unaffordable state in the nation.