Queens deli names a $15 turkey sandwich after GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman; he promises to cut the price if elected

On Oct. 2, 2026, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman visited Mario's Meats & Gourmet Deli in Flushing, Queens, for a media event that combined retail theater with policy shorthand. The deli introduced a turkey sandwich named "The Blakeman," and the candidate posed with the hero while pledging to lower its price.

"The Blakeman" is built with fresh roasted turkey, shredded lettuce, an oil-and-vinegar vinaigrette and spicy deli mustard on a hero. The sandwich was listed at $15 during the unveiling. Blakeman told assembled media that if elected on November 3 he would reduce the sandwich price to $12.

Blakeman framed the visit as a way to show how operating costs for neighborhood delis have risen since Gov. Kathy Hochul took office. According to his campaign's press release, those costs include taxes, electricity, labor, insurance and rent—expenses candidates often cite when discussing small-business pressures and consumer prices.

Joe Digangi, owner of Mario's in Flushing, said rising utility bills were a major strain. He described summer electricity and gas costs as particularly painful and estimated monthly bills for refrigeration and air conditioning at about $4,000 to $5,000. Digangi said those expenses reduce margins and force price increases for customers.

Addison Dick, a spokesperson for the New York State Democratic Party, criticized Blakeman at the event. The Democratic response accused Blakeman of not addressing tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, which Dick said are contributing to rising grocery prices. The party used a food-related jab to question the candidate's proposals.

Blakeman made a lighter comment about the sandwich's turkey filling, saying his wife wants him to eat healthy. The event combined a clear campaign message about costs with a photo-op that tied the candidate to an everyday New York purchase.

The stop is a concrete example of retail-focused campaigning: a symbolic local-business visit that highlights a single, relatable cost item—lunch—while packaging broader economic complaints about energy and operating expenses into a simple promise voters can understand. It also shows how campaigns can turn small moments into policy messaging and how opponents respond with quick political attacks.

• The $15 price tag for "The Blakeman" anchors Blakeman's pledge to make specific, short-term cuts if elected.
• The deli owner's cited utility figures give a real-world source for campaign claims about rising operating costs.
• Opponents framed the issue around trade policy and tariffs rather than the local utility and regulatory concerns the candidate emphasized.