On November 2, 2021, Bruce Blakeman was elected Nassau County Executive. Since taking office, his top priority has been protecting taxpayers and ensuring fiscal responsibility. He fulfilled his promise to eliminate $150 million in planned tax hikes from the previous administration and implemented financial policies that have earned Nassau County multiple credit rating upgrades from Wall Street. These upgrades save taxpayers money every time the County has issued bonds for the many road repaving, park improvement, and other infrastructure projects undertaken on Blakeman’s watch.
Blakeman has taken a firm stance on public safety. With cashless bail laws and the national border crisis impacting Nassau County, he has sworn in hundreds of new law enforcement officers, increased police funding, and broken ground on a state-of-the-art police training village—all without raising taxes. He also launched Operation Overwatch, a roving police patrol unit designed to deter crime and ensure rapid response. As a result, Nassau County has seen improved response times and increased police presence. While crime has surged in New York City, major crime in Nassau has declined, helping make Nassau the safest county in America, according to U.S. News & World Report.
As County Executive, Blakeman has taken decisive action against progressive policies he believes are harmful to Nassau residents. He signed an executive order ensuring Nassau will never become a sanctuary county. To combat South American gangs, crime rings, and migrants with criminal records who are wanted for crimes against residents, Blakeman has ordered the Nassau County Police Department to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and deport these thugs.
Mr. Blakeman continues to advocate for Nassau’s fair share of state funding, as reports indicate Long Island sends $14 billion more in taxpayer dollars to Albany than it receives in return. Most disturbingly, in recent years Nassau County school districts have faced the threat of State aid cuts and regionalization efforts while State lawmakers earmarked billions of taxpayer dollars for housing and legal aid services for migrants entering the nation illegally.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman is no stranger to the fight for parental rights in education. He signed New York State’s first executive order to restore the rights of parents to send their children to school without masks. A champion for the rights of women and girls to compete in sporting events in female leagues without biological males bullying their way onto those teams, Bruce Blakeman signed the nation’s first executive order to protect women’s sports.
In response to rising antisemitism, Blakeman organized the region’s largest pro-Israel rally, bringing over 6,000 people together to stand against terrorism. He also established a bipartisan Task Force to Combat Antisemitism on Long Island and, in 2024, signed the nation’s first law banning face masks in public spaces when used to conceal identities during hate-filled, violent protests.
Blakeman has prioritized tackling the opioid epidemic by investing millions in prevention, education, enforcement, and recovery programs, making Nassau County a leader in the fight against addiction.
Before serving as County Executive, Blakeman was a Hempstead Town Councilman from 2015 to 2021, where he consistently voted to cut property taxes and supported fiscally responsible budgets that earned the Town of Hempstead one of the highest credit ratings on Wall Street. He also championed ethics reforms, creating the Town’s first-ever Compliance Officer and appointing a former federal prosecutor as Town Attorney. As part of his commitment to fighting antisemitism, he passed landmark legislation ensuring the town does not do business with entities that boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel.
Blakeman’s public service extends beyond elected office. He was appointed Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the aftermath of 9/11, where he worked to enhance security at airports, bridges, tunnels, and other critical infrastructure. He has also served as Executive Director of the New York Police Chiefs Benevolent Association, a board member for Crime Stoppers and the New York COPS Foundation, and Deputy Counsel to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Foundation. Throughout his career, he has remained a staunch supporter of law enforcement and public safety initiatives.
During his tenure as Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature, Blakeman reduced excessive government spending by $40 million and cut salaries for political appointees, even within his own party. He also prioritized preserving open space, revitalizing downtown business districts, and establishing Hewlett House, a life-saving breast cancer resource center.
Beyond his government service, Blakeman is an attorney admitted to practice in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned his law degree from California Western School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University.
Born in Oceanside and raised in Valley Stream, Bruce Blakeman now resides in Atlantic Beach with his wife, Segal.