Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for New York governor and an ally of former President Donald Trump, has drawn sharp criticism for remarks he made about a Jewish Democratic congressional candidate, Brad Lander. Blakeman initially stated that Lander, who is Jewish, would have been a "camp guard in a concentration camp" if he could.
During an appearance on Newsmax on Wednesday night, Blakeman and host Bill Spadea were discussing recent election results when Blakeman made the comment about Lander, the progressive candidate for Congress in New York's 10th district. "He's a disgrace. He's anti-American, he is anti-Semitic, even though he's Jewish. This guy would be a camp guard in a concentration camp if he could. He's a disaster," Blakeman said.
Following the widespread reaction on social media, Blakeman did not retract the statement. Speaking to NY1 on Thursday, he modified his comment slightly, saying, "Maybe camp guard was too strong, but certainly a collaborator, as Brad Lander turned his back on the Jewish community."
Lander responded to Blakeman's remarks on Thursday, calling them "Trumpism" and "vile." "If you care about the human rights and freedom and dignity and lives of Palestinians and don't want to keep sending bombs to kill them, then you're like a concentration camp guard," Lander told NY1.
The comments also elicited strong rebukes from prominent Democrats. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is running against Blakeman in the November election, described his remarks as "absolutely despicable." She added, "It just reminds New Yorkers that every single time Bruce Blakeman opens up his mouth, he's simply auditioning for his next role in the Trump administration after he loses the election."
Outgoing Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is also Jewish, condemned Blakeman's use of the Holocaust. "I've known Brad Lander for years, and he will make an excellent member of Congress. For Bruce Blakeman to invoke the Holocaust to smear a fellow Jewish man is beyond the pale -- it is a grotesque desecration of the memory of 6 million Jews. These comments are disqualifying, and they show exactly why Bruce Blakeman must never be governor of New York," Nadler stated.