Bruce Blakeman: Difference between revisions

Bruce Blakeman
Bruce Blakeman
10th County Executive of Nassau County
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 1, 2022
Preceded by	Laura Curran
Member of the Nassau County Legislature; from the 7th district
	In office; January 1, 1995 – December 31, 1999
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Jeff Toback
Personal details
Born	October 2, 1955 (age 69); Valley Stream, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	Arizona State University, Tempe (BA); California Western School of Law (JD)

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit Next edit →

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Revision as of 01:26, 27 August 2024

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. Blakeman's father was Assemblyman Robert M. Blakeman. His mother, Betty, served in the Women's Army Corps and his father was a merchant mariner and later Naval Reserve officer.^[2]^[3] His brother, Brad Blakeman, was on the staff of President George W. Bush.^[4]

Blakeman 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.^[5] During school, he worked on Republican political campaigns and, for a time, was a driver for former First Lady Nancy Reagan. After passing the bar, he worked as a partner at his father's law firm.^[4] Blakeman also holds a certificate in Homeland Security management from Long Island University.^[6]

Early career

Bruce Blakeman was first elected to the Hempstead Town Council in 1993.^[7]

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.^[8] 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.^[9]

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.^[10]^[11] He was a commissioner during the September 11th attacks.^[relevant?]

In 2007, as a member of the New York law firm Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einige, Blakeman brokered the purchase of 52 acres of land in Melville by Canon USA for the construction of new headquarters.^[12] About 1,200 people worked at their old Lake Success offices at the time. Previous attempts to move their headquarters to Westbury and Brookville were unsuccessful, and Canon was expected to move out of state if the deal fell through.^[13] Long Island Business News reported that Blakeman received a "multimillion-dollar" commission for the sale.^[14]

In the 2010 special election, Blakeman ran for United States Senate, but lost the Republican primary to former congressman Joe DioGuardi. In 2014, Blakeman ran for the 4th congressional district, after incumbent Carolyn McCarthy announced her retirement.^[15] He won the Republican nomination, but was defeated 53% to 47% in the general election by Democrat Kathleen Rice.

Hempstead Town Councilman

In January 2015, Blakeman was appointed to the Hempstead Town Council, replacing James Darcy^[16]^[7] after previously serving on the Hempstead Town Council from 1993 to 1995.^[7]

In 2017, Blakeman joined fellow Republican councilwoman Erin King-Sweeney in endorsing Democratic challenger Laura Gillen in the race for Hempstead Town Supervisor.^[17] 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.^[18] Gillen named Blakeman Deputy Town Supervisor.^[19]^[20]

In 2019, Blakeman and King-Sweeney endorsed Republican Receiver of Taxes Donald X. Clavin Jr. against Democratic Town Supervisor Laura Gillen for Town Supervisor.^[21] Clavin went on to win against Gillen.^[22]

Blakeman was succeeded on the Hempstead town council by Republican Assemblywoman Melissa Miller.^[23]

Nassau County Executive

In March 2021, Blakeman was chosen by Nassau Republicans to run against incumbent Democratic Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.^[24] In the 2021 election he squeaked by with 50.35% of the vote,^[25] which was considered surprising in a county with 100,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans.^[4]^[26]

During his campaign, Blakeman promised to fight the state's face mask mandate and vaccination mandate intended to address the COVID-19 pandemic.^[27]^[28] Upon taking office, he signed an executive order making masks optional, contravening the state mandate. On January 24 a New York Supreme Court justice in Nassau County declared the mandate unconstitutional under the state constitution, but a Court of Appeals justice stayed the ruling the next day.^[29]^[30] In February the mask mandate was lifted in most circumstances, rendering the case moot.^[31]^[4]

Blakeman opposes the 2019 New York bail reform and has called for its repeal. Shortly after taking office, he issued an executive order permitting the Nassau County Police Department to disclose when a person released without bail is rearrested.^[32]

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, Blakeman helped conduct a rifle drive which resulted in the collection of 60 rifles for Ukraine at a Nassau County gun shop. At the time it was unclear how the rifles would be sent to Ukraine: a Homeland Security said that a weapons shipment would have to be approved by the Department of State. A couple weeks later, the Florida gun manufacturer Kel-Tec agreed to deliver the donated guns to Ukraine as part of a larger shipment of 400 weapons.^[33]^[34]

On September 19, 2022, Blakeman introduced his annual budget proposal for the 2023 fiscal year. This proposal kept tax rates the same and added nearly 100 additional law enforcement positions.^[35]

On January 11, 2023, 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.^[36]^[37]

In March 2023, preceding Ramadan, Passover, Easter, and a campaign visit from then-presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, Blakeman created a patrol unit within the Nassau County Police Department modeled on the NYPD's "Hercules" counterterrorism unit.^[38]^[39]

On May 24, 2023, Blakeman held a rally and press conference in Manhattan in support of West Islip resident Daniel Penny. Penny, a former Marine, was arrested by the NYPD on a charge of fatally choking Jordan Neely, a homeless man who was allegedly acting in a threatening manner, aboard a New York City subway train on May 1 in Chinatown.^[40]^[41] Over the course of the rally, 3 counter-demonstrators were arrested.^[40]^[41]

While walking in the 2023 Stewart Manor 4 July parade, a 10-year-old girl from Franklin Square 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. Video of the incident went viral, having been viewed 40 million times as of August 2, 2023. Many viewers mistook Blakeman for Mike Pence. Blakeman located the girl and her family, and worked with New York Yankees President Randy Levine to bring her to a Yankee game and watch batting practice from the field.^[42]^[43]^[44]

In August 2023, during the New York City migrant housing crisis, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards suggested that migrants could be housed at the Nassau Coliseum. Blakeman responded that Nassau County had no plans for "any migrant program".^[45] Soon after, Governor Hochul said the state could not and would not force migrants to move within the state, nor could it force counties to shelter them.^[46]^[47]

Following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, on October 11, Blakeman held a rally in support of Israel at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater in Eisenhower Park. 6,000 people were reported to have attended. Aid for Israeli Defense Force soldiers was collected at the rally.^[48]^[49] On November 28, 2023, Blakeman called for the resignation of Susan Poser, president of Hofstra University, over a letter she sent to the Hofstra community about the Hamas attacks in Israel. Blakeman accused Poser, who is Jewish, of anti-semitism.^[50]^[51]

In July 2024, the New York Times reported that Blakeman had recruited 75 people for a force of "special deputies" to deploy during emergencies. Many of them were former police officers. Critics described it as a militia force answering only to him.^[52]

On August 14, 2024, Blakeman signed into law the Mask Transparency Act,^[53] an act introduced by county legislator Mazi Pilip.^[54] It was voted on and passed by the legislature on August 5, 2024.^[53] The Mask Transparency Act prohibits the usage of a mask or facial covering to conceal one's identity within Nassau County. Exceptions to the bill are granted for individuals with health concerns or religious obligations. The bill seeks to eliminate anti-Semitism and hate crimes in the county that occur during protests. Violation of the act results in a misdemeanor charge of up to $1,000 USD, imprisonment for up to a year, or both.^[55]

Blakeman's salary in 2022 and 2023 was $211,821. In 2024, a cost-of-living adjustment increased that to $227,959.^[56]

Nassau Coliseum

Blakeman is a proponent of a lease from Nassau County to the Las Vegas Sands entertainment company to redevelop the site of the Nassau Coliseum, including the construction of a casino.^[57] The deal passed the Nassau County Legislature with a vote of 17-1 with one recusal to transfer the Coliseum lease to the Sands.^[58] Hofstra University filed suit against the deal, claiming that the county violated the state open meetings law by not adequately providing enough transparent, public hearings for the project. Hofstra had also been critical of the project due to possible increases in crime, traffic and gambling addiction. On November 10, 2023, a state judge ruled in Hofstra's favor and struck down the deal.^[59] In May 2024, Blakeman announced that the county would resubmit the lease-transfer application.^[60]

On January 17, 2024, Blakeman and Nassau Legislative Presiding Officer Howard Kopel announced the issuance of subpoenas to Hofstra University President Susan Poser. Blakeman and Kopel accused Poser of colluding with Hard Rock International, a direct competitor for the casino license. Hard Rock and Hofstra stated that neither had been in touch with the other. Hofstra described the subpoenas as retaliatory and an "attempt to distract and impede a fair and open process."^[59]^[61]^[62]^[63]^[64]

Transgender women at county facilities

On February 22, 2024, Blakeman issued an executive order banning women's sports teams that include transgender women from using county facilities. The ban applies to youth, college, and professional sports. Sports teams including transgender men were not targeted. In a press conference beforehand, Blakeman repeatedly referred to transgender women as "bullies" and "biological males," and recommended that they join men's or co-ed teams instead. State Democratic leadership and Long Island LGBTQ advocates condemned the order as discriminatory and illegal under state law, and accused Blakeman of using the controversy over transgender people in sports for self-promotion.^[65]^[66]^[67]

State attorney general Letitia James issued a cease-and-desist letter to Blakeman; he sued the attorney general in response.^[68] In March the Long Island Roller Rebels, represented by the New York Civil Liberties Union, filed suit against Blakeman over the order.^[69]^[70] Later that month Caitlyn Jenner made an appearance with Blakeman in support of the ban.^[71] In April, district court judge Nusrat Jahan Choudhury denied a request from Blakeman for a restraining order against James preventing her from blocking the executive order.^[72] Later that month, Choudhury dismissed his suit against James.^[68]

On May 11th, a state judge struck down the order on the grounds that the county executive lacked the authority to impose the ban.^[73] The county legislature passed a similar ban the next month, voting along party lines.^[74]^[75]^[76]

Personal life

Blakeman married Segal Magori Blakeman in 2015.^[77] He was previously married to Nancy Shevell, who is now married to Paul McCartney of The Beatles. He has one son, Arlen,^[78] and two step children, Ariel and Avi. Blakeman is the first Jewish Nassau County Executive. He is a member of the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach, a Modern Orthodox synagogue.^[79]

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.^[80]

References

^ "County Executive | Nassau County, NY - Official Website". www.nassaucountyny.gov. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
^ Croce, Brian (August 22, 2012). "Blakeman, Minerva Jr. honored for years of service". Herald Community Newspapers. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
^ "Obituary of Robert M. Blakeman". THOMAS A. GLYNN & SON FUNERAL HOME. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d McKinley, Jesse (February 10, 2022). "How a Long Island Republican Used a Mask Rebellion to Revive His Career". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ "Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran". Newsday. March 15, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
^ "New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association". New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Blakeman back on the town board". Herald Community Newspapers. January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
^ "Bruce Blakeman's time as presiding officer in '90s cited in current Congressional race". October 24, 2014. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
^ Halbfinger, David M. (November 3, 1999). "THE 1999 ELECTIONS: NASSAU; Nassau County Halts a Century Of G.O.P. Rule". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
^ "GOP Ex-Port Authority Commissioner: Lane Closure 'Highly Suspect'". The New York Observer. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
^ "Candidate - Bruce A. Blakeman". OurCampaigns.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
^ "$103M Land Grab Keeps Canon in Long Island". globest.com. June 6, 2007. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
^ Wotapka Hardesty, Dawn (July 28, 2006). "In Canon USA move deal, Nassau's loss, Long Island's gain". Long Island Business News. Ronkonkoma, NY.
^ Winzelberg, David (June 8, 2007). "CanonUSA promises big things at Melville headquarters". Long Island Business News. Ronkonkoma, NY.
^ "Former county legislator announces run for Congress". Herald Community Newspapers. February 20, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Bruce Blakeman, Erin King Sweeney appointed to Hempstead Town Board". January 14, 2015. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
^ "Blakeman crosses party lines, endorses Gillen for town supervisor". Herald Community Newspapers. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
^ Klar, Rebecca (January 2, 2018). "Laura Gillen sworn in as Town of Hempstead's first Democratic town supervisor in 100 years - News". Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
^ "Bruce Blakeman Named Deputy Town Supervisor". Garden City, NY Patch. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
^ "Bruce Blakeman appointed Hempstead Town deputy supervisor". Newsday. January 7, 2018. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
^ "Hempstead council members Blakeman and King Sweeney endorse Don Clavin for supervisor". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
^ "Clavin claims win, Gillen doesn't concede in Hempstead supervisor race". Newsday. November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
^ "Miller to succeed Blakeman on Hempstead town board". Herald Community Newspapers. February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
^ "Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran". Newsday. March 15, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
^ "Bruce Blakeman defeats Laura Curran for Nassau executive after count of absentees". Newsday. November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
^ Rubinstein, Dana; Marcius, Chelsia Rose (November 8, 2021). "Why Republicans Won in a New York County Where Democrats Outnumber Them". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ "Bruce Blakeman: I won't mandate vaccines for Nassau County workers". Newsday. November 6, 2021. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
^ Grullón Paz, Isabella (November 6, 2021). "A newly elected Nassau County executive says he will not require vaccines for county workers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ "NY Mask Mandate to Stay in Place During Appeals Process as Core COVID Rates Plunge". NBC New York. February 1, 2022. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ Ferré-Sadurní, Luis; Ashford, Grace (January 25, 2022). "N.Y. Mask Mandate Back in Effect After Judge Grants Stay". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
^ "N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul lifts statewide mask mandate at center of legal battle". NBC News. February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
^ Pelaez, Robert (January 26, 2022). "Executive order allows Nassau Police Department to publish bail status, case information of repeat offenders - Featured". The Island Now. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ Cergol, Greg (March 3, 2022). "NY Official Seeks Gun Donations for Ukraine, But Unclear How Ukrainians Would Get Firearms". Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
^ "Nassau County Executive Blakeman announces first shipment of donated guns to Ukraine". ABC7 New York. March 18, 2022. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
^ "Nassau exec proposes 2023 budget with no tax increase, more cops". Newsday. September 16, 2022. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
^ "More Republicans call for scandal-plagued Congressman George Santos to resign". PBS. January 12, 2023. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "George Santos Rebuked by Nassau County GOP: Resign". MSN. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Nassau police launch patrol unit to deter crime at schools, houses of worship". Newsday. March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
^ "Nassau County police implementing new strategy with more visible patrols". www.cbsnews.com. March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "NYC rally supporting chokehold suspect Daniel Penny, organized by Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman, disrupted by counter-demonstrators". Newsday. May 24, 2023. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Siff, Andrew (May 25, 2023). "NYC Rally In Support of Subway Chokehold Suspect Daniel Penny Leads to 3 Arrests". NBC New York. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
^ "NY Yankees Honor Girl Who Beaned Politician With Water Balloon". Inside Edition. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
^ "Yankees honor fifth-grade girl who drilled Long Island politician with water balloon throw in viral video". CBSSports.com. August 2, 2023. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
^ Wallace, Danielle (August 2, 2023). "Yankees praise 'impressive' arm of girl who pelted NY politician with water balloon". Fox News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
^ "Coliseum should be option for migrant housing, top Queens official says". Newsday. August 18, 2023. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
^ Roy, Yancey (August 25, 2023). "Hochul: State won't force counties to accept migrants; Adams earlier had sought shelters on LI, elsewhere". Newsday. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
^ "Adams: Gov. Hochul 'wrong' to not force counties to accept migrants". Newsday. August 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
^ Asbury, John (October 11, 2023). "Long Islanders rally to support Israel in war with 'the face of evil'". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
^ Staff, Newsday (October 10, 2023). "'Heartbroken' Long Islanders rally in support of Israel, shaken over death toll". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
^ "Nassau County executive calls on Hofstra president to resign over Israel-Hamas statement". News 12 - Long Island. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
^ Amid, Roksana (December 8, 2023). "Blakeman, Poser clash over Israel-Hamas comments". LI Herald. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
^ Kilgannon, Corey (July 11, 2024). "A Trump Ally Is Training 75 Armed Citizens. Is That a Militia?". The New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Fadulu, Lola; Wilson, Michael (August 6, 2024). "Masks Could Be Banned in Public in Nassau County, With Some Exceptions". The New York Times.
^ Campanile, Carl (July 11, 2024). "Nassau County eyes mask ban amid alarming rise in antisemitism, hate crimes: 'Talk is cheap'". The New York Post.
^ Sarnoff, Leah (August 7, 2024). "Wearing masks in public is now illegal in this New York county, with exceptions".
^ "Bruce Blakeman's salary rises to $227,959 for 2024, records show". Newsday. March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ Winzelberg, David (January 12, 2023). "Sands to buy Coliseum lease to develop casino". Long Island Business News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
^ Tomassetti, Briella (May 23, 2023). "Lawmakers approve transfer of Nassau Coliseum to Las Vegas Sands". Fox 5 NY. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Nassau County accuses Hofstra University of colluding with casino competitor". ABC7 New York. January 17, 2024. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
^ Cruz, Brandon (May 1, 2024). "Blakeman announces plans to resubmit lease-transfer application for Las Vegas Sands casino in Nassau". Herald Community Newspapers. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ "Nassau County officials accuse Hofstra of 'colluding' with Queens casino bidder". New York Daily News. January 17, 2024. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
^ Cruz, Brandon (January 26, 2024). "Poser won't appear before Blakeman and county legislature until February". Herald Community Newspapers. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
^ McLogan, Jennifer (January 18, 2024). "Hofstra University president subpoenaed amid competition for downstate New York casino license - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
^ Rubinstein, Dana (January 26, 2024). "Email Misfire Adds Drama to the War for a New York Casino License". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ Ingram, Molly (February 22, 2024). "Nassau County bans transgender women from competing on women's teams". WSHU. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
^ Gusoff, Carolyn; Bordonaro, Lori (February 22, 2024). "Nassau County banning transgender athletes from competing in female sports at its facilities". CBS New York. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^ Fahy, Claire (February 22, 2024). "N.Y. County Order Targets Transgender Women and Girls in Sports". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Brodsky, Robert (April 15, 2024). "Judge's order opens door for state to sue Blakeman over transgender athlete ban in Nassau facilities". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ Allen, Jonathan (March 22, 2024). "A New York roller derby team's newest opponent: an order restricting trans athletes". Reuters. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
^ "Long Island Roller Rebels v. Blakeman". NYCLU. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
^ Stack, Liam; Schweber, Nate (March 20, 2024). "In N.Y. Suburbs, Republicans Seek Edge by Targeting Transgender Athletes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ Brodsky, Robert (April 5, 2024). "New ruling in litigation over Nassau County transgender athlete restrictions". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ Meko, Hurubie (May 11, 2024). "Transgender Athlete Ban in a Long Island County Is Struck Down in Court". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
^ Fahy, Claire (June 24, 2024). "Nassau County Legislature Passes Transgender Athlete Ban". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
^ "Lawmakers in a New York county pass transgender athlete ban after earlier ban is thrown out in court". AP News. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
^ Webb, Karleigh (June 26, 2024). "Nassau County legislature votes to double down on trans ban". OutSports. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
^ "Blakeman's wife leaves county job". Newsday. May 22, 2015. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
^ Agate, Samantha (March 15, 2023). "Paul McCartney and Wife Nancy Shevell Enjoy St. Barts Trip: Photos". Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
^ Kornbluh, Jacob (January 2, 2022). "Interview with Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County's First Jewish Executive, guided by Orthodox tradition". The Forward. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
^ "In Cedarhurst, pol shares 9/11 luck, sorrow". September 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2022.

Political offices
Preceded by Laura Curran	County Executive of Nassau County, New York 2022–	Succeeded by incumbent

[1] "County Executive | Nassau County, NY - Official Website". www.nassaucountyny.gov. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.

[2] Croce, Brian (August 22, 2012). "Blakeman, Minerva Jr. honored for years of service". Herald Community Newspapers. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

[3] "Obituary of Robert M. Blakeman". THOMAS A. GLYNN & SON FUNERAL HOME. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

[nyt20220210-4] McKinley, Jesse (February 10, 2022). "How a Long Island Republican Used a Mask Rebellion to Revive His Career". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[5] "Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran". Newsday. March 15, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.

[6] "New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association". New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.

[blakeman_back-7] "Blakeman back on the town board". Herald Community Newspapers. January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.

[8] "Bruce Blakeman's time as presiding officer in '90s cited in current Congressional race". October 24, 2014. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.

[9] Halbfinger, David M. (November 3, 1999). "THE 1999 ELECTIONS: NASSAU; Nassau County Halts a Century Of G.O.P. Rule". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

[highly_suspect-10] "GOP Ex-Port Authority Commissioner: Lane Closure 'Highly Suspect'". The New York Observer. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.

[11] "Candidate - Bruce A. Blakeman". OurCampaigns.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.

[12] "$103M Land Grab Keeps Canon in Long Island". globest.com. June 6, 2007. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.

[13] Wotapka Hardesty, Dawn (July 28, 2006). "In Canon USA move deal, Nassau's loss, Long Island's gain". Long Island Business News. Ronkonkoma, NY.

[14] Winzelberg, David (June 8, 2007). "CanonUSA promises big things at Melville headquarters". Long Island Business News. Ronkonkoma, NY.

[15] "Former county legislator announces run for Congress". Herald Community Newspapers. February 20, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[16] "Bruce Blakeman, Erin King Sweeney appointed to Hempstead Town Board". January 14, 2015. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.

[17] "Blakeman crosses party lines, endorses Gillen for town supervisor". Herald Community Newspapers. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

[18] Klar, Rebecca (January 2, 2018). "Laura Gillen sworn in as Town of Hempstead's first Democratic town supervisor in 100 years - News". Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

[19] "Bruce Blakeman Named Deputy Town Supervisor". Garden City, NY Patch. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

[20] "Bruce Blakeman appointed Hempstead Town deputy supervisor". Newsday. January 7, 2018. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[21] "Hempstead council members Blakeman and King Sweeney endorse Don Clavin for supervisor". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[22] "Clavin claims win, Gillen doesn't concede in Hempstead supervisor race". Newsday. November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[23] "Miller to succeed Blakeman on Hempstead town board". Herald Community Newspapers. February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[24] "Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran". Newsday. March 15, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.

[25] "Bruce Blakeman defeats Laura Curran for Nassau executive after count of absentees". Newsday. November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

[26] Rubinstein, Dana; Marcius, Chelsia Rose (November 8, 2021). "Why Republicans Won in a New York County Where Democrats Outnumber Them". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[27] "Bruce Blakeman: I won't mandate vaccines for Nassau County workers". Newsday. November 6, 2021. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

[28] Grullón Paz, Isabella (November 6, 2021). "A newly elected Nassau County executive says he will not require vaccines for county workers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[29] "NY Mask Mandate to Stay in Place During Appeals Process as Core COVID Rates Plunge". NBC New York. February 1, 2022. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[Ferré-Sadurní_Ashford_2022_i009-30] Ferré-Sadurní, Luis; Ashford, Grace (January 25, 2022). "N.Y. Mask Mandate Back in Effect After Judge Grants Stay". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.

[31] "N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul lifts statewide mask mandate at center of legal battle". NBC News. February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2024.

[32] Pelaez, Robert (January 26, 2022). "Executive order allows Nassau Police Department to publish bail status, case information of repeat offenders - Featured". The Island Now. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[33] Cergol, Greg (March 3, 2022). "NY Official Seeks Gun Donations for Ukraine, But Unclear How Ukrainians Would Get Firearms". Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.

[34] "Nassau County Executive Blakeman announces first shipment of donated guns to Ukraine". ABC7 New York. March 18, 2022. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.

[35] "Nassau exec proposes 2023 budget with no tax increase, more cops". Newsday. September 16, 2022. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.

[36] "More Republicans call for scandal-plagued Congressman George Santos to resign". PBS. January 12, 2023. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[37] "George Santos Rebuked by Nassau County GOP: Resign". MSN. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[38] "Nassau police launch patrol unit to deter crime at schools, houses of worship". Newsday. March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.

[39] "Nassau County police implementing new strategy with more visible patrols". www.cbsnews.com. March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.

[:0-40] "NYC rally supporting chokehold suspect Daniel Penny, organized by Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman, disrupted by counter-demonstrators". Newsday. May 24, 2023. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.

[:1-41] Siff, Andrew (May 25, 2023). "NYC Rally In Support of Subway Chokehold Suspect Daniel Penny Leads to 3 Arrests". NBC New York. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.

[bean-42] "NY Yankees Honor Girl Who Beaned Politician With Water Balloon". Inside Edition. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.

[cbssports.com-43] "Yankees honor fifth-grade girl who drilled Long Island politician with water balloon throw in viral video". CBSSports.com. August 2, 2023. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.

[Wallace-44] Wallace, Danielle (August 2, 2023). "Yankees praise 'impressive' arm of girl who pelted NY politician with water balloon". Fox News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.

[45] "Coliseum should be option for migrant housing, top Queens official says". Newsday. August 18, 2023. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.

[46] Roy, Yancey (August 25, 2023). "Hochul: State won't force counties to accept migrants; Adams earlier had sought shelters on LI, elsewhere". Newsday. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.

[47] "Adams: Gov. Hochul 'wrong' to not force counties to accept migrants". Newsday. August 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.

[48] Asbury, John (October 11, 2023). "Long Islanders rally to support Israel in war with 'the face of evil'". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.

[49] Staff, Newsday (October 10, 2023). "'Heartbroken' Long Islanders rally in support of Israel, shaken over death toll". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.

[50] "Nassau County executive calls on Hofstra president to resign over Israel-Hamas statement". News 12 - Long Island. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.

[51] Amid, Roksana (December 8, 2023). "Blakeman, Poser clash over Israel-Hamas comments". LI Herald. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.

[j564-52] Kilgannon, Corey (July 11, 2024). "A Trump Ally Is Training 75 Armed Citizens. Is That a Militia?". The New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2024.

[NYTMask-53] Fadulu, Lola; Wilson, Michael (August 6, 2024). "Masks Could Be Banned in Public in Nassau County, With Some Exceptions". The New York Times.

[54] Campanile, Carl (July 11, 2024). "Nassau County eyes mask ban amid alarming rise in antisemitism, hate crimes: 'Talk is cheap'". The New York Post.

[55] Sarnoff, Leah (August 7, 2024). "Wearing masks in public is now illegal in this New York county, with exceptions".

[56] "Bruce Blakeman's salary rises to $227,959 for 2024, records show". Newsday. March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[57] Winzelberg, David (January 12, 2023). "Sands to buy Coliseum lease to develop casino". Long Island Business News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.

[58] Tomassetti, Briella (May 23, 2023). "Lawmakers approve transfer of Nassau Coliseum to Las Vegas Sands". Fox 5 NY. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.

[abc7-59] "Nassau County accuses Hofstra University of colluding with casino competitor". ABC7 New York. January 17, 2024. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.

[60] Cruz, Brandon (May 1, 2024). "Blakeman announces plans to resubmit lease-transfer application for Las Vegas Sands casino in Nassau". Herald Community Newspapers. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[61] "Nassau County officials accuse Hofstra of 'colluding' with Queens casino bidder". New York Daily News. January 17, 2024. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.

[62] Cruz, Brandon (January 26, 2024). "Poser won't appear before Blakeman and county legislature until February". Herald Community Newspapers. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.

[63] McLogan, Jennifer (January 18, 2024). "Hofstra University president subpoenaed amid competition for downstate New York casino license - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.

[64] Rubinstein, Dana (January 26, 2024). "Email Misfire Adds Drama to the War for a New York Casino License". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[65] Ingram, Molly (February 22, 2024). "Nassau County bans transgender women from competing on women's teams". WSHU. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.

[66] Gusoff, Carolyn; Bordonaro, Lori (February 22, 2024). "Nassau County banning transgender athletes from competing in female sports at its facilities". CBS New York. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.

[67] Fahy, Claire (February 22, 2024). "N.Y. County Order Targets Transgender Women and Girls in Sports". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[brodsky-68] Brodsky, Robert (April 15, 2024). "Judge's order opens door for state to sue Blakeman over transgender athlete ban in Nassau facilities". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[Allen_2024_o351-69] Allen, Jonathan (March 22, 2024). "A New York roller derby team's newest opponent: an order restricting trans athletes". Reuters. Retrieved March 22, 2024.

[70] "Long Island Roller Rebels v. Blakeman". NYCLU. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.

[71] Stack, Liam; Schweber, Nate (March 20, 2024). "In N.Y. Suburbs, Republicans Seek Edge by Targeting Transgender Athletes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[72] Brodsky, Robert (April 5, 2024). "New ruling in litigation over Nassau County transgender athlete restrictions". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[b868-73] Meko, Hurubie (May 11, 2024). "Transgender Athlete Ban in a Long Island County Is Struck Down in Court". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.

[x989-74] Fahy, Claire (June 24, 2024). "Nassau County Legislature Passes Transgender Athlete Ban". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.

[l915-75] "Lawmakers in a New York county pass transgender athlete ban after earlier ban is thrown out in court". AP News. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.

[u346-76] Webb, Karleigh (June 26, 2024). "Nassau County legislature votes to double down on trans ban". OutSports. Retrieved June 26, 2024.

[77] "Blakeman's wife leaves county job". Newsday. May 22, 2015. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.

[78] Agate, Samantha (March 15, 2023). "Paul McCartney and Wife Nancy Shevell Enjoy St. Barts Trip: Photos". Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.

[forward-79] Kornbluh, Jacob (January 2, 2022). "Interview with Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County's First Jewish Executive, guided by Orthodox tradition". The Forward. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.

[80] "In Cedarhurst, pol shares 9/11 luck, sorrow". September 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

[73]

[74]

[75]

[76]

[77]

[78]

[79]

[80]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|American politician}}
-{{Multiple issues|
-{{POV|date=February 2024}}
-{{BLP sources|date=February 2024}}
-}}
 {{use mdy dates |date=July 2023}}
 {{Infobox officeholder
-|name                = Bruce Blakeman
+| name                = Bruce Blakeman
-|image               = Blakeman Profile Picture.jpg
+| image               = Blakeman Profile Picture.jpg
-|office              = 10th Executive of [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County]]
+| office              = 10th [[Nassau County Executive|County Executive of Nassau County]]
-|term_start          = January 1, 2022
+| term_start          = January 1, 2022
-|term_end            =
+| term_end            =
-|predecessor         = [[Laura Curran]]
+| predecessor         = [[Laura Curran]]
-|successor           =
+| successor           =
-|office3             = Member of the [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County Legislature]]<br />from the 7th district
+| office3             = Member of the [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County Legislature]]<br />from the 7th district
-|term_start3         = January 1, 1995
+| term_start3         = January 1, 1995
-|term_end3           = December 31, 1999
+| term_end3           = December 31, 1999
-|predecessor3        = Constituency established
+| predecessor3        = Constituency established
-|successor3          = Jeff Toback
+| successor3          = Jeff Toback
-|birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1955|10|2}}
+| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1955|10|2}}
-|birth_place         = [[Valley Stream, New York]], U.S.
+| birth_place         = [[Valley Stream, New York]], U.S.
-|death_date          =
+| death_date          =
-|death_place         =
+| death_place         =
-|party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
+| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
-|education           = [[Arizona State University Tempe campus|Arizona State University, Tempe]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[California Western School of Law]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
+| education           = [[Arizona State University Tempe campus|Arizona State University, Tempe]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[California Western School of Law]] ([[Juris Doctor|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|Nassau County]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/481/County-Executive|title=County Executive &#124; Nassau County, NY - Official Website|website=www.nassaucountyny.gov|access-date=January 27, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127155153/https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/481/County-Executive|url-status=live}}</ref> He was elected in the 2021 election, defeating [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] incumbent [[Laura Curran]]. He previously served as the commissioner for the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey|New York-New Jersey Port Authority]] as well as a Nassau County legislator and [[Hempstead, New York|Hempstead]] [[Councillor|town councilman]].
 == Early life and education ==
-Blakeman was born in [[Valley Stream, New York]]. Blakeman's father was Assemblyman [[Robert M. Blakeman]]. His mother, Betty, served in the Army and his father was a Merchant Marine and later Naval Reserve Officer. His brother is [[Brad Blakeman]], who was Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://t2t.org/9-11-never-forget/brad-blakeman/|title=Brad Blakeman|website=Tunnel to Towers Foundation|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206205839/https://t2t.org/9-11-never-forget/brad-blakeman/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Blakeman was born in [[Valley Stream, New York]]. Blakeman's father was Assemblyman [[Robert M. Blakeman]]. His mother, Betty, served in the [[Women's Army Corps]] and his father was a [[United States Merchant Marine|merchant mariner]] and later [[United States Navy Reserve|Naval Reserve]] officer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Croce |first=Brian |date=2012-08-22 |title=Blakeman, Minerva Jr. honored for years of service |url=https://www.liherald.com/valleystream/stories/blakeman-minerva-jr-honored-for-years-of-service,42760 |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Herald Community Newspapers |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505193156/https://www.liherald.com/valleystream/stories/blakeman-minerva-jr-honored-for-years-of-service,42760 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituary of Robert M. Blakeman |url=https://glynnfh.com/tribute/details/684/Robert-Blakeman/obituary.html |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=THOMAS A. GLYNN & SON FUNERAL HOME |language=en-US |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505192439/https://glynnfh.com/tribute/details/684/Robert-Blakeman/obituary.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His brother, [[Brad Blakeman]], was on the staff of President [[George W. Bush]].<ref name=nyt20220210 />
-Blakeman 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Newsday |date=March 15, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729022138/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063 |url-status=live }}</ref> Blakeman holds a certificate in Homeland Security management from Long Island University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nypcba.org/bruce-a-blakeman|title=New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association|website=New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association|access-date=February 8, 2023|archive-date=February 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208234218/https://www.nypcba.org/bruce-a-blakeman|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Blakeman 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Newsday |date=March 15, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729022138/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063 |url-status=live }}</ref> During school, he worked on Republican political campaigns and, for a time, was a driver for former First Lady [[Nancy Reagan]]. After [[Bar examination|passing the bar]], he worked as a partner at his father's law firm.<ref name=nyt20220210 /> Blakeman also holds a certificate in Homeland Security management from [[Long Island University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nypcba.org/bruce-a-blakeman|title=New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association|website=New York Police Chief's Benevolent Association|access-date=February 8, 2023|archive-date=February 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208234218/https://www.nypcba.org/bruce-a-blakeman|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Early career==
@@ Line 39: / Line 35: @@
 In [[1998 New York State Comptroller election|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.
+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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halbfinger |first=David M. |date=1999-11-03 |title=THE 1999 ELECTIONS: NASSAU; Nassau County Halts a Century Of G.O.P. Rule |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/03/nyregion/the-1999-elections-nassau-nassau-county-halts-a-century-of-gop-rule.html |access-date=2024-05-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505193843/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/03/nyregion/the-1999-elections-nassau-nassau-county-halts-a-century-of-gop-rule.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 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.<ref name="highly suspect">{{cite web | url=https://observer.com/2014/09/gop-ex-port-authority-commissioner-lane-closure-highly-suspect/ | title=GOP Ex-Port Authority Commissioner: Lane Closure 'Highly Suspect' | website=[[The New York Observer]] | date=8 September 2014 | access-date=July 21, 2022 | archive-date=July 21, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721022448/https://observer.com/2014/09/gop-ex-port-authority-commissioner-lane-closure-highly-suspect/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=42162 |work=OurCampaigns.com |title=Candidate - Bruce A. Blakeman |access-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721025418/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=42162 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was a commissioner during the [[September 11th attacks]].{{Relevance inline|sentence|date=February 2024|reason=did he do anything notable on 9/11, or did he just happen to be a commissioner at the time?}}
@@ Line 57: / Line 53: @@
 == Nassau County Executive ==
-In March 2021, Blakeman was chosen by Nassau Republicans to run against incumbent Democratic Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063|title=Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran|website=Newsday|date=March 15, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2022|archive-date=July 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729022138/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2021 Nassau County, New York Executive election|2021 election]] he squeaked by with 50.35% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/curran-blakeman-absentee-count-nassau-g83756|title=Bruce Blakeman defeats Laura Curran for Nassau executive after count of absentees|website=Newsday|date=November 17, 2021|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206204935/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/curran-blakeman-absentee-count-nassau-g83756|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In March 2021, Blakeman was chosen by Nassau Republicans to run against incumbent Democratic Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063|title=Nassau GOP picks Bruce Blakeman to challenge Laura Curran|website=Newsday|date=March 15, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2022|archive-date=July 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729022138/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-nassau-county-executive-republican-q46063|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2021 Nassau County, New York Executive election|2021 election]] he squeaked by with 50.35% of the vote,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/curran-blakeman-absentee-count-nassau-g83756|title=Bruce Blakeman defeats Laura Curran for Nassau executive after count of absentees|website=Newsday|date=November 17, 2021|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206204935/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/curran-blakeman-absentee-count-nassau-g83756|url-status=live}}</ref> which was considered surprising in a county with 100,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans.<ref name=nyt20220210>{{Cite news |last=McKinley |first=Jesse |date=2022-02-10 |title=How a Long Island Republican Used a Mask Rebellion to Revive His Career |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/nyregion/bruce-blakeman-republican-masks.html |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404084254/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/nyregion/bruce-blakeman-republican-masks.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |last2=Marcius |first2=Chelsia Rose |date=2021-11-08 |title=Why Republicans Won in a New York County Where Democrats Outnumber Them |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/08/nyregion/nassau-county-republicans-election.html |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403110136/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/08/nyregion/nassau-county-republicans-election.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
+During his campaign, Blakeman promised to fight the state's [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|face mask mandate]] and [[COVID-19 vaccination in the United States|vaccination mandate]] intended to address the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/blakeman-curran-nassau-election-county-executive-a12588 |title=Bruce Blakeman: I won't mandate vaccines for Nassau County workers |website=Newsday |date=November 6, 2021 |access-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013202026/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/blakeman-curran-nassau-election-county-executive-a12588 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grullón Paz |first=Isabella |date=2021-11-06 |title=A newly elected Nassau County executive says he will not require vaccines for county workers. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/11/06/world/covid-booster-vaccine#newly-elected-nassau-county-executive-says-he-will-not-require-vaccines-for-county-workers |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213063709/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/11/06/world/covid-booster-vaccine#newly-elected-nassau-county-executive-says-he-will-not-require-vaccines-for-county-workers |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon taking office, he signed an [[executive order]] making masks optional, contravening the state mandate. On January 24 a [[New York Supreme Court]] justice in Nassau County declared the mandate unconstitutional under the state constitution, but a [[New York Court of Appeals|Court of Appeals]] justice [[Stay of proceedings|stayed]] the ruling the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NY Mask Mandate to Stay in Place During Appeals Process as Core COVID Rates Plunge |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/ny-mask-mandate-to-stay-in-place-during-appeals-process-as-core-covid-rates-fall/3527301/ |access-date=2022-02-03 |website=NBC New York |date=1 February 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203212733/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/ny-mask-mandate-to-stay-in-place-during-appeals-process-as-core-covid-rates-fall/3527301/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ferré-Sadurní Ashford 2022 i009">{{cite web | last=Ferré-Sadurní | first=Luis | last2=Ashford | first2=Grace | title=N.Y. Mask Mandate Back in Effect After Judge Grants Stay | website=The New York Times | date=2022-01-25 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/nyregion/nyc-mask-mandate-ruling.html | access-date=2024-04-30 | archive-date=April 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430205930/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/nyregion/nyc-mask-mandate-ruling.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In February the mask mandate was lifted in most circumstances, rendering the case moot.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul lifts statewide mask mandate at center of legal battle |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ny-gov-kathy-hochul-lifts-statewide-mask-mandate-center-legal-battle-rcna15450 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531204047/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ny-gov-kathy-hochul-lifts-statewide-mask-mandate-center-legal-battle-rcna15450 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=nyt20220210 />
-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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau exec proposes 2023 budget with no tax increase, more cops |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/nassau-blakeman-budget-2022-2023-t7cf43kk |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Newsday |date=September 16, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921145351/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/nassau-blakeman-budget-2022-2023-t7cf43kk |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Blakeman opposes the [[2019 New York bail reform]] and has called for its repeal. Shortly after taking office, he issued an executive order permitting the [[Nassau County Police Department]] to disclose when a person released without bail is rearrested.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelaez |first=Robert |date=2022-01-26 |title=Executive order allows Nassau Police Department to publish bail status, case information of repeat offenders - Featured |url=https://theislandnow.com/featured/executive-order-allows-nassau-police-department-to-publish-bail-status-case-information-of-repeat-offenders/ |access-date=2022-02-03 |website=The Island Now |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203192625/https://theislandnow.com/featured/executive-order-allows-nassau-police-department-to-publish-bail-status-case-information-of-repeat-offenders/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-On January 11, 2023, 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/more-republicans-call-for-scandal-plagued-congressman-george-santos-to-resign | title=More Republicans call for scandal-plagued Congressman George Santos to resign | website=[[PBS]] | date=12 January 2023 | access-date=January 13, 2023 | archive-date=January 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114033009/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/more-republicans-call-for-scandal-plagued-congressman-george-santos-to-resign | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/george-santos-rebuked-by-nassau-county-gop-resign/ar-AA16ew7P | title=George Santos Rebuked by Nassau County GOP: Resign | website=[[MSN]] | access-date=January 13, 2023 | archive-date=January 13, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113195026/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/george-santos-rebuked-by-nassau-county-gop-resign/ar-AA16ew7P | url-status=live }}</ref>
+During the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February, Blakeman helped conduct a rifle [[Drive (charity)|drive]] which resulted in the collection of 60 rifles for Ukraine at a Nassau County gun shop. At the time it was unclear how the rifles would be sent to Ukraine: a [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Homeland Security]] said that a weapons shipment would have to be approved by the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]]. A couple weeks later, the Florida gun manufacturer [[Kel-Tec]] agreed to deliver the donated guns to Ukraine as part of a larger shipment of 400 weapons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-official-seeks-gun-donations-for-ukraine-but-unclear-how-ukrainians-would-get-firearms/3582767/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |title=NY Official Seeks Gun Donations for Ukraine, But Unclear How Ukrainians Would Get Firearms |first=Greg |last=Cergol |date=March 3, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006201013/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-official-seeks-gun-donations-for-ukraine-but-unclear-how-ukrainians-would-get-firearms/3582767/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Nassau County Executive Blakeman announces first shipment of donated guns to Ukraine |url=https://abc7ny.com/nassau-county-bruce-blakeman-firearms-donated-guns/11661487/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=ABC7 New York |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405205708/https://abc7ny.com/nassau-county-bruce-blakeman-firearms-donated-guns/11661487/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-===COVID mandates===
-Before taking office, Blakeman pledged to fight actions imposed by New York Governor [[Kathy Hochul]] addressing the [[COVID-19 pandemic|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NY Mask Mandate to Stay in Place During Appeals Process as Core COVID Rates Plunge |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/ny-mask-mandate-to-stay-in-place-during-appeals-process-as-core-covid-rates-fall/3527301/ |access-date=2022-02-03 |website=NBC New York |date=1 February 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203212733/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/ny-mask-mandate-to-stay-in-place-during-appeals-process-as-core-covid-rates-fall/3527301/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Blakeman also refused to support a vaccine mandate for county workers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/blakeman-curran-nassau-election-county-executive-a12588 |title=Bruce Blakeman: I won't mandate vaccines for Nassau County workers |website=Newsday |date=November 6, 2021 |access-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013202026/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/blakeman-curran-nassau-election-county-executive-a12588 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+On September 19, 2022, Blakeman introduced his annual budget proposal for the 2023 fiscal year. This proposal kept tax rates the same and added nearly 100 additional law enforcement positions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau exec proposes 2023 budget with no tax increase, more cops |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/nassau-blakeman-budget-2022-2023-t7cf43kk |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Newsday |date=September 16, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921145351/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/nassau-blakeman-budget-2022-2023-t7cf43kk |url-status=live }}</ref>
-===Bail Reform===
-After taking office, 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelaez |first=Robert |date=2022-01-26 |title=Executive order allows Nassau Police Department to publish bail status, case information of repeat offenders - Featured |url=https://theislandnow.com/featured/executive-order-allows-nassau-police-department-to-publish-bail-status-case-information-of-repeat-offenders/ |access-date=2022-02-03 |website=The Island Now |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203192625/https://theislandnow.com/featured/executive-order-allows-nassau-police-department-to-publish-bail-status-case-information-of-repeat-offenders/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-On March 31, 2023, in response to the state legislature's not repealing bail reform, Blakeman created a new [[Nassau County Police Department|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau police launch patrol unit to deter crime at schools, houses of worship |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-police-initiative-overwatch-ryder-adcbktpp |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Newsday |date=March 31, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405152351/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-police-initiative-overwatch-ryder-adcbktpp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau County police implementing new strategy with more visible patrols |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-police-trying-new-strategy-to-crack-down-on-crime/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=March 31, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405152351/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-police-trying-new-strategy-to-crack-down-on-crime/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+On January 11, 2023, 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/more-republicans-call-for-scandal-plagued-congressman-george-santos-to-resign | title=More Republicans call for scandal-plagued Congressman George Santos to resign | website=[[PBS]] | date=12 January 2023 | access-date=January 13, 2023 | archive-date=January 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114033009/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/more-republicans-call-for-scandal-plagued-congressman-george-santos-to-resign | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/george-santos-rebuked-by-nassau-county-gop-resign/ar-AA16ew7P | title=George Santos Rebuked by Nassau County GOP: Resign | website=[[MSN]] | access-date=January 13, 2023 | archive-date=January 13, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113195026/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/george-santos-rebuked-by-nassau-county-gop-resign/ar-AA16ew7P | url-status=live }}</ref>
+In March 2023, preceding [[Ramadan]], [[Passover]], [[Easter]], and a campaign visit from then-presidential candidate [[Ron DeSantis]], Blakeman created a patrol unit within the Nassau County Police Department modeled on the [[NYPD]]'s "Hercules" [[counterterrorism]] unit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau police launch patrol unit to deter crime at schools, houses of worship |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-police-initiative-overwatch-ryder-adcbktpp |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Newsday |date=March 31, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405152351/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-police-initiative-overwatch-ryder-adcbktpp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nassau County police implementing new strategy with more visible patrols |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-police-trying-new-strategy-to-crack-down-on-crime/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=March 31, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405152351/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-police-trying-new-strategy-to-crack-down-on-crime/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-===Ukraine===
-During the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Blakeman helped conduct a rifle [[Drive (charity)|drive]] which resulted in the collection of 60 rifles for Ukraine at a Nassau County gun shop. At the time it was unclear how the rifles would be sent to Ukraine: a [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Homeland Security]] said that a weapons shipment would have to be approved by the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]]. A couple weeks later, the Florida gun manufacturer [[Kel-Tec]] agreed to deliver the donated guns to Ukraine as part of a larger shipment of 400 weapons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-official-seeks-gun-donations-for-ukraine-but-unclear-how-ukrainians-would-get-firearms/3582767/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |title=NY Official Seeks Gun Donations for Ukraine, But Unclear How Ukrainians Would Get Firearms |first=Greg |last=Cergol |date=March 3, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006201013/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-official-seeks-gun-donations-for-ukraine-but-unclear-how-ukrainians-would-get-firearms/3582767/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Nassau County Executive Blakeman announces first shipment of donated guns to Ukraine |url=https://abc7ny.com/nassau-county-bruce-blakeman-firearms-donated-guns/11661487/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=ABC7 New York |language=en}}</ref>
+On May 24, 2023, Blakeman held a rally and press conference in [[Manhattan]] in support of [[West Islip]] resident [[Daniel Penny]]. Penny, a former [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]], was arrested by the NYPD on a charge of fatally choking [[Jordan Neely]], a homeless man who was allegedly acting in a threatening manner, aboard a New York City subway train on May 1 in Chinatown.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-24 |title=NYC rally supporting chokehold suspect Daniel Penny, organized by Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman, disrupted by counter-demonstrators |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/bruce-blakeman-daniel-penny-rally-manhattan-k1ymazoy |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606144353/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/bruce-blakeman-daniel-penny-rally-manhattan-k1ymazoy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Siff |first1=Andrew |date=2023-05-25 |title=NYC Rally In Support of Subway Chokehold Suspect Daniel Penny Leads to 3 Arrests |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-rally-in-support-of-subway-chokehold-suspect-daniel-penny-leads-to-3-arrests/4364624/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606144355/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-rally-in-support-of-subway-chokehold-suspect-daniel-penny-leads-to-3-arrests/4364624/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the course of the rally, 3 counter-demonstrators were arrested.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/>
-=== Nassau Coliseum ===
-Blakeman is a proponent of a lease from Nassau County to the [[Las Vegas Sands]] entertainment company to redevelop the site of the [[Nassau Coliseum]], including the construction of a [[casino]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winzelberg |first=David |date=2023-01-12 |title=Sands to buy Coliseum lease to develop casino |work=Long Island Business News |url=https://libn.com/2023/01/12/sands-to-buy-coliseum-lease-to-develop-casino/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114033140/https://libn.com/2023/01/12/sands-to-buy-coliseum-lease-to-develop-casino/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal passed the [[Nassau County Legislature]] with a vote of 17-1 with one recusal to transfer the Coliseum lease to the Sands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomassetti |first=Briella |date=2023-05-23 |title=Lawmakers approve transfer of Nassau Coliseum to Las Vegas Sands |url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nassau-coliseum-transfer-las-vegas-sands |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Fox 5 NY |language=en-US |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606145857/https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nassau-coliseum-transfer-las-vegas-sands |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hofstra University]] filed suit against the deal, claiming that the county violated the state open meetings law by not adequately providing enough transparent, public hearings for the project. Hofstra had also been critical of the project due to possible increases in [[crime]], [[traffic]] and [[gambling addiction]]. On November 10, 2023, a state judge ruled in Hofstra's favor and struck down the deal. Barring a reversal on appeal, the County would have to re-initiate the process and hold more thorough hearings and re-vote in order to continue with the casino initiative.<ref name=abc7 />
-On January 17, 2024, Blakeman and Nassau Legislative Presiding Officer Howard Kopel announced the issuance of subpoenas to [[Hofstra University]] President [[Susan Poser]]. Blakeman and Kopel accused Poser of colluding with [[Hard Rock International]], a direct competitor for the casino license. Hard Rock and Hofstra stated that neither had been in touch with the other. Hofstra described the subpoenas as retaliatory and an "attempt to distract and impede a fair and open process."<ref name=abc7>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Nassau County accuses Hofstra University of colluding with casino competitor |url=https://abc7ny.com/hofstra-university-las-vegas-sands-nassau-casino-bruce-blakeman/14333951/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=ABC7 New York |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://abc7ny.com/hofstra-university-las-vegas-sands-nassau-casino-bruce-blakeman/14333951/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Nassau County officials accuse Hofstra of 'colluding' with Queens casino bidder |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/17/nassau-county-officials-accuse-hofstra-of-colluding-with-queens-casino-bidder/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/17/nassau-county-officials-accuse-hofstra-of-colluding-with-queens-casino-bidder/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Brandon |date=2024-01-26 |title=Poser won't appear before Blakeman and county legislature until February |url=https://liherald.com/franklinsquare/stories/poser-wont-appear-blakeman-subpeona-nassau-county-legislature-february,205701 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Herald Community Newspapers |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://liherald.com/franklinsquare/stories/poser-wont-appear-blakeman-subpeona-nassau-county-legislature-february,205701 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McLogan |first=Jennifer |date=2024-01-18 |title=Hofstra University president subpoenaed amid competition for downstate New York casino license - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/hofstra-university-president-subpoena-casino-license/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/hofstra-university-president-subpoena-casino-license/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-18 |title=Hidden inside the Hofstra-Nassau legal battle |url=https://www.newsday.com/opinion/the-point/hofstra-sands-steve-cohen-hard-rock-nassau-county-1957-development-o7kc32fw |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://www.newsday.com/opinion/the-point/hofstra-sands-steve-cohen-hard-rock-nassau-county-1957-development-o7kc32fw |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Where the chips may fall: Is Sands rival in touch with Hofstra? |url=https://www.newsday.com/opinion/the-point/the-point-newsday-michael-mckeon-hard-rock-entertainment-hofstra-las-vegas-sands-nassau-hub-o7kc32fw |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152841/https://www.newsday.com/opinion/the-point/the-point-newsday-michael-mckeon-hard-rock-entertainment-hofstra-las-vegas-sands-nassau-hub-o7kc32fw |url-status=live }}</ref>
+While walking in the 2023 [[Stewart Manor, New York|Stewart Manor]] 4 July parade, a 10-year-old girl from [[Franklin Square, New York|Franklin Square]] 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. Video of the incident went viral, having been viewed 40 million times as of August 2, 2023. Many viewers mistook Blakeman for [[Mike Pence]]. Blakeman located the girl and her family, and worked with [[New York Yankees]] President [[Randy Levine]] to bring her to a Yankee game and watch batting practice from the field.<ref name=bean>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title=NY Yankees Honor Girl Who Beaned Politician With Water Balloon |url=https://www.insideedition.com/ny-yankees-honor-10-year-old-girl-who-beaned-politician-in-the-head-with-water-balloon-from-400 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Inside Edition |language=en-US |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225203/https://www.insideedition.com/ny-yankees-honor-10-year-old-girl-who-beaned-politician-in-the-head-with-water-balloon-from-400 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cbssports.com">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-02 |title=Yankees honor fifth-grade girl who drilled Long Island politician with water balloon throw in viral video |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-honor-fifth-grade-girl-who-drilled-long-island-politician-with-water-balloon-throw-in-viral-video/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225042/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-honor-fifth-grade-girl-who-drilled-long-island-politician-with-water-balloon-throw-in-viral-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Wallace">{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Danielle |date=2023-08-02 |title=Yankees praise 'impressive' arm of girl who pelted NY politician with water balloon |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-praise-impressive-arm-girl-pelted-ny-politican-water-balloon |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Fox News |language=en-US |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809014247/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-praise-impressive-arm-girl-pelted-ny-politican-water-balloon |url-status=live }}</ref>
+In August 2023, during the [[New York City migrant housing crisis]], Queens Borough President [[Donovan Richards]] suggested that migrants could be housed at the [[Nassau Coliseum]]. Blakeman responded that Nassau County had no plans for "any migrant program".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-18 |title=Coliseum should be option for migrant housing, top Queens official says |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/coliseum-migrant-blakeman-richards-queens-o0y4k8p9 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901141603/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/coliseum-migrant-blakeman-richards-queens-o0y4k8p9 |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after, Governor Hochul said the state could not and would not force migrants to move within the state, nor could it force counties to shelter them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Yancey |date=2023-08-25 |title=Hochul: State won't force counties to accept migrants; Adams earlier had sought shelters on LI, elsewhere |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/immigrants-homeless-gabreski-pilgrim-kings-park-kathy-hochul-eric-adams-new-york-city-repswzzt |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901140101/https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/immigrants-homeless-gabreski-pilgrim-kings-park-kathy-hochul-eric-adams-new-york-city-repswzzt |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-29 |title=Adams: Gov. Hochul 'wrong' to not force counties to accept migrants |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/kathy-hochul-eric-adams-migrants-new-york-city-counties-h4rixh7m |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902040759/https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/kathy-hochul-eric-adams-migrants-new-york-city-counties-h4rixh7m |url-status=live }}</ref>
-===Support for Daniel Penny===
-On May 24, 2023, Blakeman held a rally and press conference in [[Manhattan]] in support of [[West Islip]] resident [[Daniel Penny]]. Penny, a former [[United States Marine Corps|marine]], was arrested by the NYPD on a charge of fatally choking [[Jordan Neely]], a homeless man who was allegedly acting in a threatening manner, aboard a New York City subway train on May 1 in Chinatown.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-24 |title=NYC rally supporting chokehold suspect Daniel Penny, organized by Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman, disrupted by counter-demonstrators |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/bruce-blakeman-daniel-penny-rally-manhattan-k1ymazoy |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606144353/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/bruce-blakeman-daniel-penny-rally-manhattan-k1ymazoy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Siff |first1=Andrew |date=2023-05-25 |title=NYC Rally In Support of Subway Chokehold Suspect Daniel Penny Leads to 3 Arrests |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-rally-in-support-of-subway-chokehold-suspect-daniel-penny-leads-to-3-arrests/4364624/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606144355/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-rally-in-support-of-subway-chokehold-suspect-daniel-penny-leads-to-3-arrests/4364624/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the course of the rally, 3 counter-demonstrators were arrested.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/>
+Following the [[2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel]], on October 11, Blakeman held a rally in support of Israel at the [[Harry Chapin]] Lakeside Theater in [[Eisenhower Park]]. 6,000 people were reported to have attended. Aid for [[Israeli Defense Force]] soldiers was collected at the rally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asbury |first=John |date=2023-10-11 |title=Long Islanders rally to support Israel in war with 'the face of evil' |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/israel-eisenhower-park-support-j5smcrhp |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226162538/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/israel-eisenhower-park-support-j5smcrhp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Newsday |date=2023-10-10 |title='Heartbroken' Long Islanders rally in support of Israel, shaken over death toll |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/israel-long-island-rallies-support-fnkc7v80 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226162541/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/israel-long-island-rallies-support-fnkc7v80 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 28, 2023, Blakeman called for the resignation of [[Susan Poser]], president of [[Hofstra University]], over a letter she sent to the Hofstra community about the Hamas attacks in Israel. Blakeman accused Poser, who is Jewish, of anti-semitism.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nassau County executive calls on Hofstra president to resign over Israel-Hamas statement |url=https://longisland.news12.com/blakeman-calls-on-hofstra-president-to-resign-over-israel-hamas-statement |access-date=2023-12-26 |work=News 12 - Long Island |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226162539/https://longisland.news12.com/blakeman-calls-on-hofstra-president-to-resign-over-israel-hamas-statement |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Amid |first=Roksana |date=2023-12-08 |title=Blakeman, Poser clash over Israel-Hamas comments |url=https://liherald.com/fivetowns/stories/blakeman-poser-clash-over-israel,203155 |access-date=2023-12-27 |work=LI Herald |language=en |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227151927/https://liherald.com/fivetowns/stories/blakeman-poser-clash-over-israel,203155 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-=== Viral Water Balloon Video ===
-While walking in the annual [[Stewart Manor, New York|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.<ref name=bean>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title=NY Yankees Honor Girl Who Beaned Politician With Water Balloon |url=https://www.insideedition.com/ny-yankees-honor-10-year-old-girl-who-beaned-politician-in-the-head-with-water-balloon-from-400 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Inside Edition |language=en-US |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225203/https://www.insideedition.com/ny-yankees-honor-10-year-old-girl-who-beaned-politician-in-the-head-with-water-balloon-from-400 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cbssports.com">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-02 |title=Yankees honor fifth-grade girl who drilled Long Island politician with water balloon throw in viral video |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-honor-fifth-grade-girl-who-drilled-long-island-politician-with-water-balloon-throw-in-viral-video/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225042/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-honor-fifth-grade-girl-who-drilled-long-island-politician-with-water-balloon-throw-in-viral-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+In July 2024, the [[New York Times]] reported that Blakeman had recruited 75 people for a force of "special deputies" to deploy during emergencies. Many of them were former police officers. Critics described it as a [[militia]] force answering only to him.<ref name="j564">{{cite web | last=Kilgannon | first=Corey | title=A Trump Ally Is Training 75 Armed Citizens. Is That a Militia? | website=The New York Times | date=2024-07-11 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/nyregion/bruce-blakeman-armed-citizens-long-island.html | access-date=2024-08-27}}</ref>
-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.<ref name="Wallace">{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Danielle |date=2023-08-02 |title=Yankees praise 'impressive' arm of girl who pelted NY politician with water balloon |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-praise-impressive-arm-girl-pelted-ny-politican-water-balloon |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Fox News |language=en-US |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809014247/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-praise-impressive-arm-girl-pelted-ny-politican-water-balloon |url-status=live }}</ref>
+On August 14, 2024, Blakeman signed into law the Mask Transparency Act,<ref name=NYTMask>{{cite new|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/nyregion/mask-ban-nassau-county-allies.html|title=Masks Could Be Banned in Public in Nassau County, With Some Exceptions|first1=Lola|last=Fadulu|first2=Michael|last2=Wilson|date=August 6, 2024|work=The New York Times}}</ref> an act introduced by county legislator [[Mazi Melesa Pilip|Mazi Pilip]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2024/07/11/us-news/nassau-county-eyes-mask-ban-amid-alarming-rise-in-antisemitism-hate-crimes-talk-is-cheap/|work=The New York Post|first=Carl|last=Campanile|title=Nassau County eyes mask ban amid alarming rise in antisemitism, hate crimes: ‘Talk is cheap’|date=11 July 2024}}</ref> It was voted on and passed by the legislature on August 5, 2024.<ref name=NYTMask/> The Mask Transparency Act prohibits the usage of a mask or facial covering to conceal one's identity within Nassau County. Exceptions to the bill are granted for individuals with health concerns or religious obligations. The bill seeks to eliminate anti-Semitism and hate crimes in the county that occur during protests. Violation of the act results in a misdemeanor charge of up to $1,000 USD, imprisonment for up to a year, or both.<ref>{{cite new|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wearing-masks-public-now-illegal-nassau-county-new/story?id=112652433|title=Wearing masks in public is now illegal in this New York county, with exceptions|first=Leah|last=Sarnoff|date=7 August 2024}}</ref>
-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.<ref name="Wallace"/><ref name="cbssports.com"/>
+Blakeman's salary in 2022 and 2023 was $211,821. In 2024, a [[cost-of-living adjustment]] increased that to $227,959.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-27 |title=Bruce Blakeman's salary rises to $227,959 for 2024, records show |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-salary-s8403qt1 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508023517/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/bruce-blakeman-salary-s8403qt1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-=== Immigration ===
-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,".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-18 |title=Coliseum should be option for migrant housing, top Queens official says |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/coliseum-migrant-blakeman-richards-queens-o0y4k8p9 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901141603/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/coliseum-migrant-blakeman-richards-queens-o0y4k8p9 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+=== Nassau Coliseum ===
-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," <ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Yancey |date=2023-08-25 |title=Hochul: State won't force counties to accept migrants; Adams earlier had sought shelters on LI, elsewhere |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/immigrants-homeless-gabreski-pilgrim-kings-park-kathy-hochul-eric-adams-new-york-city-repswzzt |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901140101/https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/immigrants-homeless-gabreski-pilgrim-kings-park-kathy-hochul-eric-adams-new-york-city-repswzzt |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-29 |title=Adams: Gov. Hochul 'wrong' to not force counties to accept migrants |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/kathy-hochul-eric-adams-migrants-new-york-city-counties-h4rixh7m |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902040759/https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/kathy-hochul-eric-adams-migrants-new-york-city-counties-h4rixh7m |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Blakeman is a proponent of a lease from Nassau County to the [[Las Vegas Sands]] entertainment company to redevelop the site of the [[Nassau Coliseum]], including the construction of a [[casino]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winzelberg |first=David |date=2023-01-12 |title=Sands to buy Coliseum lease to develop casino |work=Long Island Business News |url=https://libn.com/2023/01/12/sands-to-buy-coliseum-lease-to-develop-casino/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114033140/https://libn.com/2023/01/12/sands-to-buy-coliseum-lease-to-develop-casino/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal passed the [[Nassau County Legislature]] with a vote of 17-1 with one recusal to transfer the Coliseum lease to the Sands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomassetti |first=Briella |date=2023-05-23 |title=Lawmakers approve transfer of Nassau Coliseum to Las Vegas Sands |url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nassau-coliseum-transfer-las-vegas-sands |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Fox 5 NY |language=en-US |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606145857/https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nassau-coliseum-transfer-las-vegas-sands |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hofstra University]] filed suit against the deal, claiming that the county violated the state open meetings law by not adequately providing enough transparent, public hearings for the project. Hofstra had also been critical of the project due to possible increases in [[crime]], [[traffic]] and [[gambling addiction]]. On November 10, 2023, a state judge ruled in Hofstra's favor and struck down the deal.<ref name=abc7 /> In May 2024, Blakeman announced that the county would resubmit the lease-transfer application.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Brandon |date=2024-05-01 |title=Blakeman announces plans to resubmit lease-transfer application for Las Vegas Sands casino in Nassau |url=https://www.liherald.com/stories/blakeman-plans-to-resubmit-lease-transfer-application-for-las-vegas-sands-casino-nassau-hub,207538 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Herald Community Newspapers |language=en |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508023516/https://www.liherald.com/stories/blakeman-plans-to-resubmit-lease-transfer-application-for-las-vegas-sands-casino-nassau-hub,207538 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+On January 17, 2024, Blakeman and Nassau Legislative Presiding Officer Howard Kopel announced the issuance of subpoenas to [[Hofstra University]] President [[Susan Poser]]. Blakeman and Kopel accused Poser of colluding with [[Hard Rock International]], a direct competitor for the casino license. Hard Rock and Hofstra stated that neither had been in touch with the other. Hofstra described the subpoenas as retaliatory and an "attempt to distract and impede a fair and open process."<ref name=abc7>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Nassau County accuses Hofstra University of colluding with casino competitor |url=https://abc7ny.com/hofstra-university-las-vegas-sands-nassau-casino-bruce-blakeman/14333951/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=ABC7 New York |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://abc7ny.com/hofstra-university-las-vegas-sands-nassau-casino-bruce-blakeman/14333951/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Nassau County officials accuse Hofstra of 'colluding' with Queens casino bidder |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/17/nassau-county-officials-accuse-hofstra-of-colluding-with-queens-casino-bidder/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/17/nassau-county-officials-accuse-hofstra-of-colluding-with-queens-casino-bidder/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Brandon |date=2024-01-26 |title=Poser won't appear before Blakeman and county legislature until February |url=https://liherald.com/franklinsquare/stories/poser-wont-appear-blakeman-subpeona-nassau-county-legislature-february,205701 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Herald Community Newspapers |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://liherald.com/franklinsquare/stories/poser-wont-appear-blakeman-subpeona-nassau-county-legislature-february,205701 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McLogan |first=Jennifer |date=2024-01-18 |title=Hofstra University president subpoenaed amid competition for downstate New York casino license - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/hofstra-university-president-subpoena-casino-license/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152840/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/hofstra-university-president-subpoena-casino-license/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |date=2024-01-26 |title=Email Misfire Adds Drama to the War for a New York Casino License |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/nyregion/casino-sands-license-hofstra.html |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508015143/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/nyregion/casino-sands-license-hofstra.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
-=== War in Israel ===
-Following the [[2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel]], on October 11, Blakeman held a rally in support of Israel at the [[Harry Chapin]] Lakeside Theater in [[Eisenhower Park]]. 6,000 people were reported to have attended. Aid for [[Israeli Defense Force]] soldiers was collected at the rally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asbury |first=John |date=2023-10-11 |title=Long Islanders rally to support Israel in war with 'the face of evil' |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/israel-eisenhower-park-support-j5smcrhp |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226162538/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/israel-eisenhower-park-support-j5smcrhp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Newsday |date=2023-10-10 |title='Heartbroken' Long Islanders rally in support of Israel, shaken over death toll |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/israel-long-island-rallies-support-fnkc7v80 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Newsday |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226162541/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/israel-long-island-rallies-support-fnkc7v80 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 28, 2023, Blakeman called for the resignation of [[Susan Poser]], president of [[Hofstra University]], over a letter she sent to the Hofstra community about the Hamas attacks in Israel. Blakeman accused Poser, who is Jewish, of anti-semitism.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nassau County executive calls on Hofstra president to resign over Israel-Hamas statement |url=https://longisland.news12.com/blakeman-calls-on-hofstra-president-to-resign-over-israel-hamas-statement |access-date=2023-12-26 |work=News 12 - Long Island |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226162539/https://longisland.news12.com/blakeman-calls-on-hofstra-president-to-resign-over-israel-hamas-statement |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Amid |first=Roksana |date=2023-12-08 |title=Blakeman, Poser clash over Israel-Hamas comments |url=https://liherald.com/fivetowns/stories/blakeman-poser-clash-over-israel,203155 |access-date=2023-12-27 |work=LI Herald |language=en |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227151927/https://liherald.com/fivetowns/stories/blakeman-poser-clash-over-israel,203155 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+===Transgender women at county facilities===
+On February 22, 2024, Blakeman issued an executive order banning women's sports teams that include [[transgender women]] from using county facilities. The ban applies to youth, college, and professional sports. Sports teams including [[transgender men]] were not targeted. In a press conference beforehand, Blakeman repeatedly referred to transgender women as "bullies" and "biological males," and recommended that they join men's or co-ed teams instead. State Democratic leadership and Long Island LGBTQ advocates condemned the order as discriminatory and illegal under state law, and accused Blakeman of using the controversy over [[transgender people in sports]] for self-promotion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-22 |title=Nassau County bans transgender women from competing on women's teams |url=https://www.wshu.org/long-island-news/2024-02-22/nassau-county-bans-transgender-women-sports |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=WSHU |language=en |first=Molly |last=Ingram |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508180713/https://www.wshu.org/long-island-news/2024-02-22/nassau-county-bans-transgender-women-sports |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gusoff |first1=Carolyn |last2=Bordonaro |first2=Lori |date=2024-02-22 |title=Nassau County banning transgender athletes from competing in female sports at its facilities |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-banning-transgender-athletes-from-competing-at-its-facilities/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=CBS New York |language=en-US |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227071203/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-banning-transgender-athletes-from-competing-at-its-facilities/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fahy |first=Claire |date=2024-02-22 |title=N.Y. County Order Targets Transgender Women and Girls in Sports |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/nyregion/nassau-county-trans-ban.html |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404084254/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/nyregion/nassau-county-trans-ban.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
+State attorney general [[Letitia James]] issued a [[cease-and-desist]] letter to Blakeman; he sued the attorney general in response.<ref name=brodsky /> In March the [[Long Island Roller Rebels]], represented by the [[New York Civil Liberties Union]], filed suit against Blakeman over the order.<ref name="Allen 2024 o351">{{cite web | last=Allen | first=Jonathan | title=A New York roller derby team's newest opponent: an order restricting trans athletes | website=Reuters | date=2024-03-22 | url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/new-york-roller-derby-teams-newest-opponent-an-order-restricting-trans-athletes-2024-03-22/ | access-date=2024-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Long Island Roller Rebels v. Blakeman |url=https://www.nyclu.org/court-cases/roller-rebels-v-blakeman |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=NYCLU |language=en-US |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417231423/https://www.nyclu.org/court-cases/roller-rebels-v-blakeman |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that month [[Caitlyn Jenner]] made an appearance with Blakeman in support of the ban.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stack |first=Liam |last2=Schweber |first2=Nate |date=2024-03-20 |title=In N.Y. Suburbs, Republicans Seek Edge by Targeting Transgender Athletes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/nyregion/nassau-trans-women-sports.html |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420042022/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/nyregion/nassau-trans-women-sports.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In April, [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York|district court]] judge [[Nusrat Jahan Choudhury]] denied a request from Blakeman for a restraining order against James preventing her from blocking the executive order.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=New ruling in litigation over Nassau County transgender athlete restrictions |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/transgender-nassau-ban-blakeman-judge-ruling-hp1hn8cz |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Newsday |language=en |first=Robert |last=Brodsky |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508022451/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/transgender-nassau-ban-blakeman-judge-ruling-hp1hn8cz |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that month, Choudhury dismissed his suit against James.<ref name=brodsky>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-15 |title=Judge's order opens door for state to sue Blakeman over transgender athlete ban in Nassau facilities |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transgender-athlete-executive-order-blakeman-attorney-general-suit-d8igg251 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Newsday |language=en |first=Robert |last=Brodsky |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508022452/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transgender-athlete-executive-order-blakeman-attorney-general-suit-d8igg251 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+On May 11th, a state judge struck down the order on the grounds that the county executive lacked the authority to impose the ban.<ref name="b868">{{cite web | last=Meko | first=Hurubie | title=Transgender Athlete Ban in a Long Island County Is Struck Down in Court | website=The New York Times | date=2024-05-11 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/11/nyregion/transgender-womens-sports-ny.html | access-date=2024-06-26}}</ref> The county legislature passed a similar ban the next month, voting along party lines.<ref name="x989">{{cite web | last=Fahy | first=Claire | title=Nassau County Legislature Passes Transgender Athlete Ban | website=The New York Times | date=2024-06-24 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/nyregion/transgender-athlete-ban-nassau-county-ny.html | access-date=2024-06-26}}</ref><ref name="l915">{{cite web | title=Lawmakers in a New York county pass transgender athlete ban after earlier ban is thrown out in court | website=AP News | date=2024-06-25 | url=https://apnews.com/article/new-york-transgender-athletes-ban-nassau-county-9e6ba0d2486c1dd2dc21355fa0f0e3ec | access-date=2024-06-26}}</ref><ref name="u346">{{cite web | last=Webb | first=Karleigh | title=Nassau County legislature votes to double down on trans ban | website=OutSports | date=2024-06-26 | url=https://www.outsports.com/2024/6/26/24096742/nassau-county-trans-athletes-bruce-blakeman-lawsuit-court/ | access-date=2024-06-26}}</ref>
-=== Transgender women at county sports facilities===
-On February 22, 2024, Blakeman issued an executive order banning women's sports teams that include [[transgender women]] from using county facilities. The ban applies to youth, college, and professional sports. Sports teams including [[transgender men]] were not targeted. In a press conference beforehand, Blakeman repeatedly referred to transgender women as "bullies" and "biological males," and recommended that they join men's or co-ed teams instead. LGBTQ advocates condemned the order as discriminatory and illegal under state law, and accused Blakeman of using the controversy over [[transgender people in sports]] for self-promotion. Governor [[Kathy Hochul]] spoke out against the order, and state attorney general [[Letitia James]] and the [[NYCLU]] said they were reviewing legal options.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-22 |title=Nassau County bans transgender women from competing on women's teams |url=https://www.wshu.org/long-island-news/2024-02-22/nassau-county-bans-transgender-women-sports |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=WSHU |language=en|first=Molly|last=Ingram}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gusoff |first1=Carolyn |last2=Bordonaro |first2=Lori |date=2024-02-22 |title=Nassau County banning transgender athletes from competing in female sports at its facilities |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-banning-transgender-athletes-from-competing-at-its-facilities/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website= CBS New York  |language=en-US}}</ref> In March the [[Long Island Roller Rebels]], represented by the [[New York Civil Liberties Union]], filed suit against Blakeman over the order.<ref name="Allen 2024 o351">{{cite web | last=Allen | first=Jonathan | title=A New York roller derby team's newest opponent: an order restricting trans athletes | website=Reuters | date=2024-03-22 | url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/new-york-roller-derby-teams-newest-opponent-an-order-restricting-trans-athletes-2024-03-22/ | access-date=2024-03-22}}</ref>
 ==Personal life==