Bruce Blakeman sworn in for second term as Nassau County executive

Nassau County Executvie Bruce Blakeman was sworn in for a second term during the county's 2026 Inauguration ceremony at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, at the same time passing new safety legislation.

The Jan. 12 ceremony, which began shortly after 5:30 p.m. was attended by hundreds of individuals including elected officials, law enforcement representatives, clergy members, and more.

After Blakeman, Elaine Phillips and Maureen O'Connell were also sworn in for new terms as Nassau County Comptroller and Nassau County Clerk respectively.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino led the ceremony, introducing a number of esteemed speakers, stakeholders, and performers including Father Gerard Gordon, who serves as the senior chaplain of the Nassau County Police Department, as well as Mary Millben, an internationally recognized singer who performed a rendition of the National Anthem.

Religious leaders representing both Judaism and Christianity were participated in the ceremony, with Rabbi Mordechai Kamentezsky of Yeshiva South Shore delivering the invocation and Gordon delivering the benediction.

"I would like to thank Hashem —God — for giving me the strength to serve as your county executive," said Blakeman to begin a 15-minute speech following his swearing in, conducted by his wife Segal Blakeman who presides as a judge over family cases in the Family Court of Nassau County. "It's only through the strength of God that I have the ability to serve, and I recognize that each and every day."

"(We supported) our law enforcement, hired 600 law professionals, canceled a $150 million tax increase, didn't raise taxes for four years, and earned seven bond upgrades," added Blakeman, touting first term achievements. "That's unprecedented."

Following his swearing in, Blakeman signed a bill previously approved by Nassau County legislators meant to add protection for worshippers at religious institutions.

The bill prohibits demonstrations from occurring within 10 feet of a person entering or exiting a place of religious worship. It also prevents demonstrations within 35 feet of an entrance to a religious institution during the hour before a scheduled service and the hour after it ends.

"You know how I feel about religious freedom," said Blakeman. "And the ability for people to be able to worship in their mosque, their church, their synagogue, their temple.

"And therefore we will protect those institutions and we will protect people's rights to worship freely here in the Nassau County."