Trump Eyes Central New York Rally With Blakeman

President Donald Trump is considering a trip to upstate New York on Oct. 9 to campaign alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, Politico reported Thursday.

According to three people familiar with the discussions who spoke with the outlet, the potential event is being considered for Central New York, though a fourth person familiar with the talks said plans have not been finalized.

Blakeman's campaign declined to comment, while the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A Trump appearance would mark his second campaign stop with Blakeman in New York in less than two months.

Trump traveled to Garden City on Long Island in August to rally with the Nassau County executive and Republican congressional candidates, calling Blakeman "a great person," "a friend of mine" and "a great political leader."

"When Bruce's name came up, I said, 'Yeah. If they give that guy just a little bit of a chance, just a little bit of fair treatment from the fake news and everyone else, he's going to win,'" Trump said at the August event.

He also joked about whether he would rather have Blakeman in Albany or additional Republicans in Congress: "I don't know, Bruce, I think I'm going to have to give you up. I might have to take the congresspeople."

Trump endorsed Blakeman earlier this year, describing him as "MAGA all the way." Blakeman responded that he was "grateful and blessed" for the endorsement, adding, "President Trump loves New York and we will be partners in making New York safe and affordable."

A Central New York rally would put Trump and Blakeman in territory considerably more favorable to Republicans than New York City.

While the state remains Democratic overall, Republicans routinely perform strongly across large portions of rural and upstate New York.

State voter-registration figures likewise show Republican advantages in a number of upstate counties, even as Democrats maintain a substantial statewide registration edge.

That geographic divide is important to Blakeman's effort to unseat Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Blakeman secured the GOP nomination after former Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out, citing a desire to avoid a costly primary and spend more time with her family.

New York has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won a third term in November 2002, meaning the GOP is approaching 24 years without a gubernatorial victory. Pataki served through the end of 2006, after which Democrats won five consecutive gubernatorial elections.

Blakeman is attempting to assemble enough support outside heavily Democratic New York City while remaining competitive in the suburbs and farm country up north to overcome that statewide Democratic advantage.

Trump's potential Central New York appearance would give the Republican nominee another opportunity to energize voters in a region where the GOP's recent electoral performance has generally been substantially stronger than in the five boroughs.

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