ALBANY, N.Y. (VINnews) — Far-right activist Laura Loomer upended the New York Republican gubernatorial race this week, prompting turmoil in Bruce Blakeman’s campaign after she highlighted a lieutenant governor pick’s brief 2024 presidential run, The New York Times reported.

Blakeman, the Nassau County executive and presumptive GOP nominee, had tapped Sheriff Richard Giardino of Fulton County as his running mate. Loomer, citing Giardino’s New Hampshire primary bid, accused him of being hostile to former President Donald Trump. Her social media post quickly circulated among GOP circles, raising questions about the pick and fueling uncertainty in Blakeman’s team.

Giardino, who described his presidential run as largely symbolic to highlight law enforcement issues, said he never opposed Trump. But the public scrutiny and logistical challenges of balancing the lieutenant governor role with his sheriff duties led him to withdraw from consideration.

Loomer has emerged as one of the most influential conservative social media figures, and her interventions have made politicians wary of her critiques, The New York Times noted. Analysts say her ability to sway party insiders and shape public perception has grown, making her a formidable force in Republican politics.

The episode highlighted the GOP’s difficulties in assembling a statewide ticket in New York, where Republicans have not won a statewide race in two decades and Blakeman trails Gov. Kathy Hochul by 20 to 30 points in polls. By Monday afternoon, Blakeman’s campaign named Todd Hood, another upstate sheriff, as the new lieutenant governor nominee.