PRESS RELEASE: “Public Safety, Not Partisan Safety”: Democratic Voices Back Bruce Blakeman as New York’s Governor’s Race Intensifies
Registered Democrat Gwen Jones-Cintron, Brooklyn community advocate Eunice Ukwuani, Sheikh Musa Drammeh, and former State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz cite public safety, affordability, education, and values in explaining their political positions.
By Mutiu Olawuyi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRONX, NEW YORK — October 24, 2026 — Public safety, rising household costs, concerns about public education, and demands for political accountability are at the center of a series of endorsements for Bruce Blakeman in New York’s gubernatorial race, including a declaration from a registered Democrat who says she intends to vote across party lines.
The endorsements come from individuals with different backgrounds and stated priorities: Gwen Jones-Cintron, a registered Democrat and former teacher; Eunice Ukwuani, who identifies herself as a Brooklyn Democratic County Committee member and New York Peace Commissioner; Sheikh Musa Drammeh, a community advocate who has spoken about the consequences of violent crime; and former New York State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz.
Their statements reflect a common feature of the current political debate: the extent to which voters should prioritize public safety, affordability, education, religious convictions, and political accountability when evaluating candidates for public office.
For Jones-Cintron, the decision is tied to her concerns about the direction of the Democratic Party and the need for greater political balance in the governor’s office.
“My name is Gwen Jones-Cintron, and yes, I am a registered Democrat. I will be voting for Bruce Blakeman for governor, for we need some checks and balances in the governor’s office.”
Jones-Cintron said her concerns extend beyond party politics to the cost of heating, the condition of public schools, and what she regards as the introduction of radical ideologies into education. She also expressed concern about antisemitism and the direction of New York City leadership.
A former educator, she said she welcomed the prospect of Blakeman adopting the STEMDUP curriculum, which she described as focused on improving children’s outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while promoting diversity and peace.
Her endorsement places education and household affordability alongside political accountability as factors informing her stated voting decision.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE HUMAN COST OF VIOLENCE
For Sheikh Musa Drammeh, public safety is not an abstract campaign issue. He described attending funerals and vigils for people killed in violent incidents and encountering families whose lives had been permanently changed by the loss of loved ones.
He recounted meeting parents who had lost their only children and widowed individuals whose spouses had been murdered. He also described an incident involving two migrants, including a woman who was eight months pregnant, whom he said were killed by fellow migrant gang members while he was volunteering on Randall’s Island last year.
Drammeh said these experiences had shaped his position on the gubernatorial race.
“With this reality, I will be voting for Public Safety, not partisan safety.”
He said he intended to vote for Blakeman on the first day of early voting.
His statement underscores his view that public safety should be evaluated independently of party affiliation. The specific Randall’s Island incident and its reported circumstances should be independently verified before publication as established fact.
BROOKLYN ADVOCATE CITES PERSONAL SAFETY AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Eunice Ukwuani, who identifies herself as a Democratic County Committee member in Brooklyn’s District 58 and a New York Peace Commissioner with New York Peacebuilding, also announced her support for Blakeman.
Ukwuani cited her assessment of Blakeman’s record as Nassau County executive and concerns about safety in her own community, including around local banks and on the subway system.
“Blakeman is deeply committed to public safety, which is exactly what we need right now.”
She said residents should be able to move through their neighborhoods without feeling compelled to remain constantly on guard.
“I am tired of looking over my shoulder every time I take a walk outside, constantly on guard to defend myself.”
Ukwuani also pointed to what she described as Blakeman’s investment in law enforcement in Nassau County, citing approximately 1,000 police and law enforcement hires. That figure requires confirmation through official county records before being presented as an established fact.
Beyond policing, she called for greater attention to affordability and community needs, arguing that political decisions should be judged by their consequences for residents rather than party loyalty alone.
REV. RUBEN DIAZ MAKES THE CASE FOR FAITH AND VALUES
Former New York State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz has framed his position around religious convictions and traditional values, urging Christian voters to consider candidates whose stated positions align with their beliefs.
In his What You Should Know statement, Diaz called on voters to participate in the election and specifically endorsed Bruce Blakeman for governor and Saritha Komatireddy for New York State attorney general, directing supporters to the Conservative Party ballot line.
“It is vitally important that as God-fearing Christians, we go out and vote for those candidates that align closer to our values.”
Diaz argued that political participation carries significance beyond the immediate outcome of an election, emphasizing the importance he attaches to religious conviction and principle.
“The message we send does not depend on whether it’s a win or lose, it’s a matter of principle, and our Christian values.”
His statement reflects his personal political and religious views, including his criticisms of policies he associates with socialism, communism, and antisemitism.
AN ELECTION DEBATE EXTENDING BEYOND PARTY LABELS
The four statements bring different concerns into the discussion surrounding New York’s gubernatorial contest.
Jones-Cintron emphasizes political accountability, education, and household costs. Drammeh and Ukwuani focus on public safety and residents’ experiences in their communities. Diaz highlights religious convictions and traditional values.
Their positions raise questions about how voters weigh party affiliation against their views on individual candidates, public policy, and the performance of government.
The endorsements also illustrate that political decisions can arise from different experiences and priorities, even among people who share some concerns but differ in their backgrounds and affiliations.
As early voting begins, voters can consult official election authorities for confirmed voting dates, polling locations, candidate information, and ballot-line designations.
About Democrats for Blakeman
Democrats for Blakeman is a political initiative associated with Democratic voters and supporters of Bruce Blakeman’s gubernatorial candidacy. Its communications highlight the perspectives of individuals who support his candidacy and the issues they identify as important to New York’s future.
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