Blakeman meets Trump at White House, touts 'good relationship'

WASHINGTON — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor, met for more than an hour with President Donald Trump on Tuesday, describing the closed-door session as a huddle that focused on policy issues impacting the state.

Speaking to reporters after the White House meeting, Blakeman continued to embrace his longtime friendship with Trump, when asked whether Trump’s sagging poll numbers would hurt in the race against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

"By him supporting me, I think it’s going to help me in the campaign because as president you can do a lot to help a state," Blakeman said at an impromptu briefing with reporters just outside the White House gates. "Certainly having a good relationship with the president is a good thing."

Blakeman said the meeting was Trump’s idea, but he declined to talk about the specifics of what they discussed during the 90-minute session, only saying they broadly discussed "economic development in New York State, energy policy, tax policy, various world events and how that will affect New York State."

Hochul, speaking to reporters in Albany earlier in the day, took aim at Blakeman’s meeting saying: "I know he's going to get his marching orders. He's gotta find out what Donald Trump wants him to do."

Asked about Hochul’s comments, Blakeman noted Hochul met with Trump last year. Hochul’s office at the time said the meeting focused on building support for infrastructure projects, including the Penn Station upgrade.

"She came down here to see the president, and basically she came down here hat in hand ... I didn’t come down here hat in hand," Blakeman said Tuesday.

The meeting came as recent polls show Hochul leading Blakeman, and as Trump continues to face declining poll numbers. An average of 56.6% of poll respondents report a negative view of Trump, compared with an average of 40.4% reporting a favorable opinion, according to an analysis of polls conducted between April 20 and May 4 by polling site Real Clear Politics.

Blakeman said he was not concerned that Trump’s polling numbers would drag his support.

"I don’t care what they say about my relationship with the president, he's my friend, he’s my ally, and I'm going to run on the issues," Blakeman said.

Asked whether he and Trump discussed how Blakeman's candidacy would impact tight congressional races and other down-ballot races, Blakeman declined to go into detail about their discussion. But he told Newsday he would work to build support for congressional and local candidates.

"I know that there’s more at stake than my race," Blakeman said.

Newsday's Keshia Clukey contributed to this story.

By Laura Figueroa Hernandez

laura.figueroa@newsday.com@Laura_Figueroa

Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.