NEW YORK (AP) — Bruce Blakeman, a Republican county official in New York City’s Long Island suburbs, is expected to launch a campaign for New York governor on Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of his plans.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to disclose the plan publicly.
Blakeman's entrance into the race is set to kick off a heavily contested Republican primary race with U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, both allies of President Donald Trump. Stefanik announced her candidacy last month.
Trump on Monday declined to take a side in the incoming primary race when asked about Blakeman and Stefanik, instead telling reporters, “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people.”
Blakeman, the executive of Nassau County, has gained attention for championing a policy that bans transgender athletes from using county sports facilities. He has also created a volunteer law enforcement unit that his critics have labeled as a militia and directed county detectives to work alongside federal authorities in Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Stefanik represents a conservative congressional district in northern New York. She launched her campaign after Trump rescinded her nomination to be his ambassador to the United Nations, citing concerns about the Republican Party’s narrow House majority.
In a statement, Bernadette Breslin, a spokesperson for Stefanik's campaign, said Stefanik is a stronger candidate than Blakeman and that “it is unfortunate that he is putting his ego first to help prop up Kathy Hochul.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a moderate Democrat, is running for reelection but faces a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.
FILE - Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, at podium, speaks during a news conference in Mineola, N.Y., March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Philip Marcelo, File)
SHANGHAI (AP) — George Russell of Mercedes won Saturday's sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, continuing his early dominance in a new and different season of Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc was second with his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton taking third.
Russell won the first race of the season in Australia last weekend, and he followed up taking the 19-lap sprint in China. The full Formula 1 race is Sunday — qualifying is later Saturday — where Mercedes is also the favorite.
Russell and Hamilton swapped the lead several times on the first few laps, the two taking turns like a yo-yo leading the early race. But Russell began to pull away after the early laps with Hamilton fading.
“Lewis did an amazing job in the in the early laps,” Russell said. “He caught me off guard — 20 years of experience. So I've still got a bit to learn.”
“It was pretty fun in the end,” Russell added. “A lot of strategy in play and overtakes. It’s not easy. I hope it was fun race to watch. Usually the sprint races are pretty boring.”
Hamilton received loud applause from the Shanghai crowd when he began his on-track interview by saying “Nǐ hǎo" — hello in Chinese.
“That speed (of Mercedes) on the straight is just a little bit too much at the moment,” Hamilton said. "I think I put up a good fight.”
The race was run under the safety car for several laps in the middle of the race with the safety car pulling off for the last three laps.
Russell and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who finished fifth, started from the pole in the sprint.
Lando Norris of McLaren, who was fourth Saturday, started on the second row alongside Hamilton, who won this sprint race a year ago. It was Hamilton's only victory in any race since he joined Ferrari at the start of last season.
Formula 1 has made massive engine and chassis changes for this season — the most radical in a decade — that feature a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power.
Drivers have struggled to handle the cars when electric power kicks in and the need to trade off between using power and conserving it.
One of those struggling drivers is four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who is no fan of the changes. He finished ninth in the sprint race Saturday, more than 11 seconds behind Russell.
“Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” Verstappen said. “We just need to get our stuff together.”
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Second place Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco after the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Winner Mercedes driver George Russell, right, of Britain talks with third placer Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France steers his car during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Cadillac driver Sergio Perez of Mexico steers his car during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Mercedes driver George Russell, left, of Britain leads the pack during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
