Blakeman Taps Madison County Sheriff as NY Governor Running Mate

Republican ticket aims to unseat incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul in November election.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has selected Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, made the choice just days before he is expected to win the GOP nomination at the party's statewide convention. The Blakeman-Hood ticket will face off against Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul in the November election.

Why it matters

Blakeman's selection of a sheriff from upstate New York is seen as a strategic move to balance the ticket geographically and politically. Hood, a Trump supporter, has taken a hardline stance on immigration enforcement, which could appeal to conservative voters. The race for New York governor is expected to be highly competitive, with Hochul seeking to retain the seat for Democrats.

The details

Blakeman chose Hood after Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino declined to join the ticket. Hood was elected to his third term as Madison County sheriff in November, after previously serving as a Syracuse police officer and criminal investigator. He has supported President Trump's immigration policies, with the Madison County Sheriff's Office agreeing to work with federal authorities to serve warrants on undocumented immigrants.

  • Blakeman made the choice just days before he is expected to win the Republican nomination for governor at the GOP's statewide convention on Long Island, which began on February 9, 2026 and continues through February 11.
  • Hood was reelected as Madison County sheriff in November 2025 with over 83% of the vote.

The players

Bruce Blakeman

The likely Republican nominee for governor of New York and the current Nassau County executive.

Todd Hood

The Madison County sheriff, who was elected to his third term in November 2025. He is a former Syracuse police officer and criminal investigator.

Kathy Hochul

The incumbent Democratic governor of New York, who Blakeman and Hood will face in the November 2026 election.

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What they’re saying

“'Todd is a solid guy. We'll make a good team together.'”

— Bruce Blakeman, Republican gubernatorial candidate

“In July, the Madison County Sheriff's Office was among a handful of local law enforcement agencies that agreed to work with the federal government to serve and execute warrants on undocumented immigrants in the county jail.”

— Todd Hood, Madison County Sheriff

What’s next

Blakeman is expected to officially win the Republican nomination for governor at the party's statewide convention, which concludes on February 11, 2026. The general election campaign between Blakeman and Hochul will then begin in earnest ahead of the November vote.

The takeaway

Blakeman's selection of a conservative sheriff from upstate New York as his running mate signals an effort to appeal to Republican and Trump-supporting voters across the state, as he seeks to unseat the incumbent Democratic governor in a high-stakes election.