Endorsing Bruce Blakeman

By: Larry Gordon

If we’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that casting your ballot is the most important thing you can do to shape the future of Nassau County and New York City going forward.

For Nassau County residents (which includes the Five Towns) we can maintain our global image and protect ourselves as well as our friends and neighbors by reelecting Bruce Blakeman as County Executive.

Bruce Blakeman has done an excellent job over the last four years and has earned our vote and the opportunity to serve four more years as Nassau County executive. From his important relationship with Washington and his personal connection to President Trump, it is incumbent upon us to vote during the early voting period or on Election Day, November 4, to return Blakeman and his partners in government to office.

As I’ve listened to Bruce over the last four years, he never fails to point out that Nassau County has one of the largest population of Jews in the United States with 300,000 residents. With the uptick in antisemitism and just plain Jew-hatred nationally, it is Bruce Blakeman and his extraordinary Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder who have been out there seeing to it that our Jewish communities are well-protected. Blakeman has delivered four-straight budgets with no tax increases while prioritizing safety—opening a state-of-the-art police training village, hiring 300 new police officers, and collaborating with local, state and federal partners to enhance crime prevention and enforcement.

At a time when politicians like Zohran Mamdani are unabashedly attacking Israel and extolling the “virtues” of terrorist organizations like Hamas, elected officials like Bruce Blakeman shine as brightly as the brightest star in the political firmament.

It is also important to point out, as Bruce does, that Nassau County, with a population of over 1.4 million residents, ranks as the sixth-most populous county in New York State. That is a task that requires real leadership as well as innovation and creativity. It is our good fortune to have Bruce Blakeman as our leader today and in the years to come.

As long as we’re discussing the dynamics of voting, it’s vital to urge our Five Towns voters to come out in record numbers to vote for Blakeman and his partners in government to counterbalance the heavy Democratic districts in Nassau County that are almost automatically programmed to vote Democrat.

The Five Towns has the ability to tip the balance of power and ensure a Blakeman victory that no candidate or community should ever take for granted. Just because your candidate is leading in the polls does not mean your vote is not urgent.

On top of the political machinations at stake here, never delude yourself into thinking that for some reason your vote is not needed or not important. Every vote is important. And that is especially true in our Five Towns communities.

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips and DA Anne Donnelly at the Nassau County District Attorney Annual Cybersecurity Conference

At the same time, it’s important to reelect Anne Donnelly as Nassau County District Attorney. We can’t afford a leftist DA like Nicole Aloise who would most likely follow in the footsteps of other progressive and left-leaning DAs around the country who are soft on crime. During Donnelly’s term of office, Nassau County was rated the safest community in the country by US News and World Report and we all hope to keep it that way.

In her role as comptroller, Elaine Phillips has saved taxpayers millions by cutting waste, eliminating inefficiencies, and reducing costs. She uses a data-driven approach to managing taxpayer money, modernized Nassau’s outdated financial systems, and made government more transparent and accountable. During her tenure, Nassau County was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association with its Triple Crown award for excellence in financial reporting, the only county in New York state to earn it. Nassau has also received seven bond-rating upgrades during Phillips’ term.

Four years ago, we came out to vote en masse for Blakeman, Donnelly, and Phillips and it cannot be underestimated how important it is to do that again.

Mayor Sam Nahmias, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Legislator Howard Kopel at the Celebrate Israel Parade

Also, up for re-election this year are Nassau County Legislator Presiding Officer, Howard Kopel, a longtime friend of the community on a multiplicity of levels. Kopel and Blakeman helped to secure $1 million in funding for street improvements in the Village of Lawrence: for new street lights, sidewalk improvements on Rock Hall Road, and ambulance and fire apparatus for our local fire department.

“The Village of Lawrence has never had the level of assistance that we are receiving from both Kopel and Blakeman,” said Lawrence Mayor Sam Nahmias.

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti holds a copy of his 2026 Town of Hempstead Budget, where he announced a $5 million cut to the overall tax levy

Also, up for election is John Ferretti for Town of Hempstead Supervisor, who stepped in to replace Don Clavin, who was appointed as Nassau County judge. Ferretti has already received high marks over his brief tenure and we urge that you vote for Supervisor Ferretti on November 4.

We have a full ballot with impressive leaders—Bruce Blakeman for County Executive, Anne Donnelly for District Attorney, Elaine Phillips for Nassau County Comptroller, Howard Kopel for Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer, and John Ferretti for Supervisor. Early Voting begins this weekend on October 25 and runs through Sunday, November 2. The closest Early Voting location for Five Towns voters is the Lawrence Country Club, 101 Causeway. Voters on November 4 must vote at their designated location which can be found at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov. 

Read more of Larry Gordon’s articles at 5TJT.com. Follow 5 Towns Jewish Times on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and live videos. Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome at 5TJT.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.