The Watertown Post Editorial Board believes Northern New York deserves more than campaign stopovers. We invite Bruce Blakeman to come north, hear directly from our communities, and make the North Country a central part of his vision for New York.
Watertown, NY — As New York’s race for governor begins to take shape, one thing should be clear: Northern New York cannot once again become an afterthought. Too often, statewide campaigns spend the bulk of their time focused on New York City and its suburbs while the concerns of the North Country are acknowledged only in passing.
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee and current Nassau County Executive, has built his campaign around restoring public safety, lowering taxes, and bringing common-sense leadership back to state government. Those are issues that resonate strongly throughout Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Oswego counties, where families and businesses continue to feel the weight of Albany’s policies.
For years, many upstate communities have struggled with rising taxes, increasing regulations, higher energy costs, and an economy that has not kept pace with the rest of the country. At the same time, billions of state dollars continue flowing toward downstate priorities while rural communities fight to maintain infrastructure, attract employers, and retain young families. Northern New Yorkers deserve a governor who understands those challenges firsthand.
That is why we believe Bruce Blakeman should spend significant time campaigning in the North Country. Meet with local elected officials. Visit our farms. Sit down with manufacturers, small business owners, veterans, Fort Drum families, and community leaders. Listen to the people who live and work here every day. Hear about border commerce, workforce shortages, energy affordability, and the opportunities that exist if Albany simply allows our region to compete.
New York’s international border with Ontario and Quebec gives Northern New York unique economic advantages that remain largely untapped. The next governor must recognize that our relationship with Canada is not simply a foreign policy issue—it is an economic opportunity. As conversations continue about strengthening North American trade, manufacturing, transportation, and supply chains, our region is positioned to play an increasingly important role. With the right leadership, the North Country can become a gateway for investment, commerce, and long-term economic growth.
Bruce Blakeman brings executive experience from one of New York’s largest counties, where he has emphasized public safety, fiscal responsibility, and efficient government. Those priorities deserve a hearing from voters across the state, especially here in Northern New York.
Governor Kathy Hochul has now had the opportunity to lead New York, and many voters remain frustrated by rising living costs, continued population loss, and declining confidence in state government. Across much of upstate, there is a growing sense that Albany has lost touch with the communities outside the metropolitan areas.
The Watertown Post believes Bruce Blakeman offers the stronger path forward. His emphasis on safer communities, lower taxes, economic growth, and accountable government reflects many of the priorities shared by readers across the North Country.
Our message is simple: Bruce Blakeman, come north. Campaign here. Listen here. Invest your time here. Northern New York is ready to be part of New York’s future—not simply an afterthought every four years.
The Watertown Post Editorial Board
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