Debra Messing ditches Democrat for Trump-backed Republican as she sounds alarm over New York
A celebrity known for Democratic activism breaks with her party over New York City's decline, backing Trump-endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman for governor.
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Actress Debra Messing, known for 'Will & Grace' and a longtime Democratic supporter who previously backed Hillary Clinton and Cynthia Nixon, has endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman in the New York governor's race against Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul. In a video shared on Instagram, Messing praised Blakeman and cited her deep concern over what she describes as the steep economic and social decline of New York City over the past four years, including unaffordable living costs, congestion charges, and residents and businesses leaving. Blakeman, currently Nassau County executive, has Trump's endorsement and is running on affordability, taxes, crime, and immigration.
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What matters, in Yank’s words, each linked to where the source says it.
Messing previously backed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Cynthia Nixon's 2018 bid for New York governor, making her endorsement of a Republican a striking political shift. In the source
Messing told Blakeman in an Instagram video: 'The decline in this city over the last four years has been so exponential and devastating economically, socially on every level.' In the source
Messing cited affordability as central to her concerns, including high utility costs and congestion charges, saying New York City is 'just too expensive to live in.' In the source
Blakeman currently serves as Nassau County executive and is the Republican nominee for governor in the 2026 election, with Trump's endorsement. In the source
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The decline in this city over the last four years has been so exponential and devastating economically, socially on every level, and obviously we've lost so much business here.
Messing frames the city's deterioration as the urgent grievance driving her break from her party.
In context
GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE Debra Messing, Sen. Bob Casey, Katy Perry and Hillary Clinton greet supporters during a get-out-the-vote concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia on Nov. 5, 2016. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) "The decline in this city over the last four years has been so exponential and devastating economically, socially on every level, and obviously we've lost so much business here. People are leaving the city." Fox News Digital reached out to Messing's representative for comment.
Receipt
I was born here. This is the city I love, and it's not the city that I love anymore.
Her personal roots in New York make the endorsement an emotional turning point, not just a policy disagreement.
In context
Debra Messing attended a Get Out the Vote canvass launch to encourage voters to cast their ballots for the Biden-Harris ticket and Democrats down-ballot at the Voter Activation Center on Oct. 31, 2020. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images) "I was born here. This is the city I love, and it's not the city that I love anymore, and I believe with all my heart that you are the answer," she added. "You are the affordable candidate and I think, more than anything, people are just really struggling, and they need their utilities to be lower, and they don't want to have to pay to have congestion and the driving."
Receipt
Messing — a longtime Democratic backer who campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Cynthia Nixon in 2018 — endorsed Trump-backed Republican Bruce Blakeman over incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 New York governor's race.
A decades-long Democratic campaigner crossing to a Trump-backed Republican signals the political shift at the story's core.
In context
Debra Messing has had enough with the state of New York. The "Will & Grace" actress snubbed Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and instead threw her support behind Republican Bruce Blakeman in the New York governor’s race. The endorsement marked a striking political shift for Messing, who has campaigned for Democratic candidates in the past. She previously backed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Cynthia Nixon's 2018 bid for New York governor. MICHAEL RAPAPORT BLASTS NYC AS ‘DIRTY SNOW COVERED DUMP’ AS CELEBS CALL OUT MAYOR MAMDANI OVER SLOW CLEANUP
incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and instead threw her support behind Republican Bruce Blakeman in the New York governor’s race. The endorsement marked a striking political shift for Messing — a longtime Democratic backer who has campaigned for Democratic candidates in the past. She previously backed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Cynthia Nixon's Nixon in 2018 — endorsed Trump-backed Republican Bruce Blakeman over incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 New York governor's race.
Receipt
It's just too expensive to live in New York City.
Messing names cost of living as the single issue that aligns her with Blakeman's campaign priorities.
In context
Messing said affordability was at the heart of her concerns, pointing to the growing financial burden she believes New Yorkers are being forced to shoulder. "It's just too expensive to live in New York City and I love the fact that that is the top of your mind," she added. Blakeman currently serves as Nassau County executive and is the Republican nominee for governor of New York in the 2026 election. He has challenged Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the race, with affordability, taxes, crime and immigration at the center of his campaign.
Receipt
People are leaving the city.
In context
GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE Debra Messing, Sen. Bob Casey, Katy Perry and Hillary Clinton greet supporters during a get-out-the-vote concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia on Nov. 5, 2016. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) "The decline in this city over the last four years has been so exponential and devastating economically, socially on every level, and obviously we've lost so much business here. People are leaving the city." Fox News Digital reached out to Messing's representative for comment.
Receipt
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