5 of the 7 candidates are members of the Pine Tree Rifle Club.
Category: Elections 2026
Brady PAC endorsements
The Brady’s endorsed incumbent Congressmen Dan Goldman and Pat Ryan for re-election
Creating safer communities means electing leaders with courage, consistency, and a record of action.
Brady PAC is endorsing top House and Senate candidates this cycle who are at the forefront of the fight to end gun violence ⬇️ https://t.co/BT9gxTd1rJ
— Brady PAC (@Brady_PAC) February 17, 2026
Goldman is facing a potential primary from douche-bag Brad Lander.
Blakeman campaign kicks off with a fart
Nassau Co. Exec. Bruce Blakeman kicked off his gubernatorial campaign with a big wet fart, initially picking Fulton Co. Sheriff Richard Giardino to be his running mate until a kerfuffle forced a change of plans. After some more back and forth, Blakeman went with Madison Co. Sheriff Todd Hood.
Blakeman is uninspiring due to his “moderate” beliefs, although I still believe he is a better candidate than Elise Stefanik. I have trouble believing she took her campaign seriously.
However, Larry Sharpe, who ran as the Libertarian candidate back in ’18, announced his intention to primary Blakeman for the Republican line. If he can petition his way onto the GOP ballot, I will support Sharpe in a primary.
Newsbits
Wednesday’s Newsbits:
Elections:
Jurisprudence:
- ACLU Joins Supreme Court Challenge to Gun Ban for Marijuana Users
- The DOJ Assails D.C.’s ‘Assault Weapon’ Ban As an Arbitrary, Historically Ungrounded Gun Law
- Major Gun Cases in 2026 Pose Questions for Courts Nationwide
Legislation:
Politics:
Something to think about
It occurs to me that the reason Bruce Blakeman is running for Governor is not because Republicans think he can defeat Kathy Hochul, but to retain/pick up GOP Congressional seats in Nassau and Westchester, maybe the Hudson Valley.
Stefanik out
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced she is dropping out of the governor’s race and will not seek reelection to Congress.
Good riddance. Her campaign was laughably bad.
Roughly 3/4 of the population lives in Albany and south with 2/3 south of I-84. She made one appearance in Dutchess prior to officially announcing her campaign and one appearance in Rockland after. You cannot win by refusing to campaign where the voters actually live.
2nd elected official calls for exorcising gun rights
For only the second time an elected official from New York has publicly called for citizens to exercise their 2A rights for self-defense.
Inside this article from the Post is this statement from Councilwoman Inna Vernikov:
“Gun-toting Republican Brooklyn lawmaker Inna Vernikov won’t face repercussions for bringing a firearm to a pro-Palestinian college rally — despite tough talk from progressive City Council members … “Carrying a weapon into public assembly, especially an assembly which consists of masked supporters of ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ is not only appropriate, but is necessary,” she said. “With the incoming [Mayor-elect Zohran] Mamdani admin, where criminals will be set free and law-abiding citizens punished, I urge law-abiding New Yorkers to exercise our Second Amendment rights,” she said …”
She ain’t kidding either:
Lady. Lady. https://t.co/tpwD25pJfy pic.twitter.com/JGlHQT9oKY
— Yael Bar tur (@yaelbt) December 9, 2025
Blakeman announces gubernatorial bid
Nassau Co. Exec. Bruce Blakeman has announced his intention to seek the GOP nomination for governor next year, potentially setting up a primary against party favorite Elise Stefanik.
This was entirely predictable given the poor campaign performance Stefanik has given thus far. Roughly 2/3 of the voters live south of I-84 and 3/4 south of Albany. As far as I know Stefanik has made only one appearance in Dutchess and one in Rockland. A Republican needs at least a third of the City vote and I have not seen any indication from her that she is even interested in trying to garner that. Hence, Blakeman’s announcement.
Blakeman is not a friend of 2A but he may end up being the better choice for gun voters if Stefanik does not get her stuff together real soon.
Smullen announces Congressional campaign
Assemblyman Robert Smullen has announced his campaign to replace outgoing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in CD-21.
He’s a friend to the fine folks at Pine Tree Rifle Club so 2A supporters can get behind his campaign.
Stefanik announces gubernatorial run
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced her intention to run for Governor next year against Kathy Hochul.
Stefanik’s record on 2A is solid. My main concern is does she have the ability to win? I am not impressed with her pre-campaign announcement activities.