Pod Force One – “A Republican hasn’t won New York in 20 years, Bruce Blakeman thinks he can”

Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post)
Guest: Bruce Blakeman (Republican Candidate for Governor of New York)
Date: April 1, 2026
Duration (main content): 00:01–49:21

Episode Overview

This episode features Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, known as the Nassau County Executive, who discusses his campaign to become the first Republican governor of New York in more than two decades. Blakeman confronts New York’s long Democratic streak, critiques current governor Kathy Hochul, highlights his policies on crime, energy, affordability, and his ability to win Democratic constituencies. The conversation, hosted by Miranda Devine, is candid, combative, and full of campaign optimism—covering hot-button issues like migration, rising taxes, anti-Semitism concerns, and Blakeman’s relationship with Donald Trump.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Run as a Republican in New York?

• Blakeman’s Motivation:

  • Claims New Yorkers are unhappy under Governor Kathy Hochul due to over-taxation, overregulation, and pro-criminal laws.
  • “I feel very encouraged that people want that change… They want a governor that will make them happy again because they're not very happy with Kathy Hochul.” (Bruce Blakeman, 00:26)

• Signature Slogan:

  • Devine quips, “Make New Yorkers happy again,” which Blakeman embraces (00:59).

2. Energy Policy & Affordability

• Critique of Democratic Policies:

  • Blakeman condemns Hochul’s “green energy scam” and outlines how it dramatically raises energy bills.
  • “I can cut your electric bill in half, day one when I become governor…” (Blakeman, 01:47)

• Natural Gas and Drilling:

  • Emphasizes untapped natural gas reserves and pledges to expand supply, lower costs, and boost business competitiveness.

3. Tax Exodus, Out-Migration, & Hochul’s Approach

• Departure of Tax Base:

  • Points out that Hochul first told unhappy New Yorkers to leave, then travels to Florida to ask them back—a move Blakeman mocks as “pathetic.”
  • “I thought it was a spoof… The fact that basically she drove these people out of the state and told them they can go, and then to have the gumption to go down and say, please come back…” (Blakeman, 03:59)

• Key Statistic:

  • “Our energy costs are 50% higher than the national average.” (Blakeman, 04:18)

4. Polls, Platform, and Track Record

• On Polling and Visibility:

  • Acknowledges a current 9-point polling deficit but compares favorably to past Republican candidate Lee Zeldin.
  • “Lee Zeldin… was 22 points behind at the same time that I'm nine points behind.” (Blakeman, 05:44)

• Record in Nassau County:

  • Highlights achievements: No tax increases, $150M tax cut, 7 bond upgrades, and Nassau named “safest county in America” by US News & World Report.
  • “I haven’t raised taxes a penny in four years. In fact, I cut $150 million tax increase…” (Blakeman, 06:27)

• Promise to Bring Back Emigrants:

  • Asserts those who fled will return if he wins and creates a pro-business, affordable environment.

5. New York City Politics & Mamdani Factor

• City’s Entrenched Left:

  • Discusses the challenge of NYC’s progressive base and Councilman Zoran Mamdani’s influence.
  • Warns about proposals for a 9.5% property tax increase and a “death tax,” threatening the city’s middle class.
  • “The only one that can stop Zora Mandami is the governor.” (Blakeman, 09:45)

• Framing Hochul & Mamdani as Allies:

  • “She endorsed him, he endorsed her… I will not let Zoran Mandami Institute a 9.5% property tax increase.” (Blakeman, 10:35)

6. Law & Order Credentials

• Control Over NYC:

  • Pledges to use state power to check or override city officials if they undermine law enforcement or public safety.
  • “If he's not enforcing the law, I will take over the NYPD. I'll send the state police in and we'll make sure the law is enforced.” (Blakeman, 15:13)

• Nassau County’s Record:

  • Details on hiring hundreds of police and corrections officers, investing in state-of-the-art police training, and fostering strong police-community relations.
  • “I give them the technology that they need, the equipment… We just opened up a new training village that is state of the art.” (Blakeman, 16:13)

• Running Mate Selection:

  • Chose Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood for lieutenant governor, reflecting his law-and-order emphasis.

7. Terrorism, Israel-Iran Conflict, and Minority Issues

• New Security Environment:

  • Expresses concern over rising terrorism threats tied to Israel-Iran war impacts and local ISIS-inspired attacks.
  • “There is a terrorism threat in our country, especially here in the metropolitan area…” (Blakeman, 19:54)

• Criticism of Mamdani’s Response:

  • Accuses Mamdani of downplaying terrorist incidents and prioritizing identity politics.

• Anti-Semitism & Community Protection:

  • Blakeman brands Mamdani as a “virulent anti-Semite” and vows to protect Jewish and all other vulnerable communities.
  • “I think Zoran Mandami is a virulent anti Semite… I don't believe Zoran Mandami loves America. I think he hates America…” (Blakeman, 23:20)

8. Trump Connection and Bipartisanship

• Relationship with Trump:

  • Open about friendship and past political support from Trump.
  • “Donald Trump is my friend. I support many of his policies. There's some policies that I don't support, but those are things that I would talk about with him in private.” (Blakeman, 27:27)

• Electoral Balance:

  • Argues his approach to Democratic-leaning communities—focusing on local needs and not national figureheads—wins votes beyond the Republican base.

9. Personal Story and Philosophy

• Early Life and Adversity:

  • Grew up in a political family; credits resilience to early adversity (mother’s illness, self-reliance from age 12), faith, and strong family bonds.
  • “Everybody's got their adversities, and, you know, you just have to depend on your inner strength. I'm a strong believer in God...” (Blakeman, 43:54)

• Secret to Success:

  • “You have to believe in yourself, number one. You have to be passionate about what you do… You gotta make sure that everybody's rowing in the same direction with the same purpose, and that is to make a better life, a better community.” (Blakeman, 48:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On tax migration:

  • “When I saw that video of Kathy Hochul, I didn't believe it was real. I thought it was AI generated. I thought it was a spoof. I thought it was a Saturday Night Live skit…” (03:59)

• On New York’s challenges:

  • “We're the most overtaxed, overregulated state. Our energy costs are 50% higher than the national average…” (04:18)

• On governing with principles:

  • “You can’t have a business environment that is anti-business... How can we trust her to change anything? We can't, because she won't.” (07:22)

• On NYC politics:

  • “The only one that can stop Zora Mandami is the governor… I will not let Zoran Mandami Institute a 9.5% property tax increase.” (09:45)

• On policing:

  • “If he's not enforcing the law, I will take over the NYPD. I'll send the state police in and we'll make sure the law is enforced.” (15:13)

• On anti-Semitism:

  • “I think Zoran Mandami is a virulent anti-Semite… I don't believe Zoran Mandami loves America.” (23:20)

• Trump on loyalty:

  • “I didn't run away from Donald Trump. New Yorkers can spot a phony a mile away. He's my friend… But when I go into communities, I say, look, we're not going to agree on Donald Trump. Let's talk about things that we can agree upon.” (27:27)

• On optimism:

  • “I will be the governor on January 1st. That's one thing I'm very convinced of.” (18:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:01–00:59 | Intro, why Blakeman is running, mood of NY | | 01:27–03:30 | Energy/green policy critique, taxes | | 03:30–04:59 | Tax migration, Hochul's outreach to ex-NYers| | 04:59–06:11 | Polls, campaign strategy, Nassau record | | 06:11–07:22 | Economic comeback, record with Wall St | | 09:23–11:20 | NYC politics, Mamdani tax and death tax | | 13:18–15:48 | Controlling city policy, crime enforcement| | 16:13–18:08 | Nassau County’s safety, pro-law-enforcement| | 19:09–21:35 | Terrorism concerns, Iran war, security | | 21:35–23:20 | Mamdani, Muslim communities, anti-Semitism| | 23:20–25:25 | Policy division, campaign contrast line | | 26:47–29:03 | Trump, independent positions, bipartisanship| | 34:13–35:57 | Trump’s endorsement, winning over Latino & Asian voters| | 36:35–39:23 | Childhood, family, New Yorker attitude | | 43:16–45:35 | Personal adversity, faith | | 48:29–49:17 | Success principles |

Flow & Tone

• The tone is combative, confident, and distinctly political, with both Blakeman and Devine espousing skepticism toward New York’s entrenched Democratic leadership and progressive agenda.
• Blakeman positions himself as an unapologetic conservative with bipartisan appeal, emphasizing pragmatism, public safety, and compassion rooted in faith and family.
• Miranda Devine provides candid, sometimes provocative prompts, drawing out both policy specifics and personal backstory.

Conclusion

Bruce Blakeman presents himself as a reformer with proven executive experience, ready to break New York’s Democratic dominance. He pledges reductions in taxes and regulation, prioritizes public safety, and promises to put “New Yorkers first”—contrasting himself sharply with Governor Hochul and NYC’s progressive leadership. Buoyed by his personal story and track record in Nassau County, Blakeman makes an optimistic and combative pitch to a state hungry for change, closing on themes of resilience, leadership, and hope for New York’s future.