Dark-money group sends $2 million to super PAC supporting Blakeman

ALBANY — A dark-money group founded by an ally of President Donald Trump has given $2 million to a New York super PAC supporting Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s run for governor, according to recently filed state campaign finance records.

The group, Securing American Greatness Inc., which does not have to disclose its donors, gave the contribution Tuesday to the political action committee Strong and Safe New York, which has been the largest booster to Blakeman’s campaign. Strong and Safe New York was founded by New York Knicks and Rangers owner James Dolan.

To date, it has raised more than $10 million to support Blakeman’s campaign against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, including $3 million in contributions earlier this month from three entities owned by Dolan.

Blakeman's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

The contribution comes less than two weeks before Election Day and not long after Trump held a fundraiser and rally in Syracuse for Blakeman. Dolan also hosted a fundraiser for Blakeman at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 15 before a Knicks preseason game.

Dolan did not immediately respond to requests for comment made through MSG representatives.

Spending by a super PAC — which is not allowed to coordinate efforts with a candidate — could help soften the fundraising disadvantage Blakeman has faced throughout the campaign. Reports filed three weeks ago showed Blakeman had just $178,000 in his campaign compared with Hochul's $18.5 million. New totals are mandated by state law to be reported this week.

Hochul also has several super PACs supporting her reelection bid, but they do not appear to have received contributions from dark-money groups. The largest, Greater Empire State, has raised more than $7 million to support Hochul, including $1.5 million from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Last week, it launched a $3 million television ad campaign, according to campaign finance records.

Michael McKeon, a Republican strategist and former aide in Gov. George Pataki's administration, said the contribution from Securing American Greatness was a "decent infusion" of money, but what matters is how Strong and Safe New York uses it.

"Blakeman needs every dollar he can get to push people to come out for him," McKeon said.

Newsday previously reported that Dolan and six other members of the Dolan family also each gave $138,600 for a total of $970,200 to the Nassau County Republican Committee. The Nassau committee has transferred more than $2 million to Blakeman’s campaign since the beginning of the year.

Newsday owner Patrick Dolan, brother of James Dolan, is not among those donors.

Securing American Greatness was founded in 2024 by Trump ally Taylor Budowich, who also founded MAGA Inc., a super PAC that has promoted the president.

Securing American Greatness is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, also known as a "dark-money" group rather than a super PAC. These types of groups can raise unlimited funds without disclosing individual donors, but have stricter spending rules than super PACs. Securing American Greatness reported raising nearly $275 million in 2024, according to its most recent tax filing. It recently bankrolled ads touting Trump as part of a bid to help Republicans hold control of Congress.