House Republicans Promise to Keep Pushing Measures to Make DC Great Again
Trump Waited in the Tall Grass for This Moment on Gun Rights. It's...
The Timing When ICE Will Ramp Up Deportation Operations in Chicago Is Perfect
Canadian Police Chief's Advice on Dealing With Home Invasions Is Beyond Offensive
Censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib for Fanning the Flames of Terrorism and Antisemitism
The Crusade Against THC in Texas Has Gone Up in Smoke
Trump Drops Hint About His Next Crime-Ridden Target City—and Democrats Are Losing It
CBS News Staff Rages About a Bari Weiss Takeover
Andy Barr’s DEI Double Standard
Gazan Boy Alive and Well Following Multiple Reports He Was Killed by IDF...
Judge Rules Cuts to Harvard Funding Is Unconstitutional
Cassidy Is Sinking: Louisiana Risks Becoming the Next Nebraska
Giuliani Suffers Broken Back From Car Crash
8 Michigan Men Charged in International Car Smuggling Ring
Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Voter Fraud
Tipsheet

Even More New York Democrats Endorse Lee Zeldin

Brittainy Newman/Newsday via AP, Pool

It was always going to be a tough battle for a Republican to win in New York's gubernatorial race this November, but it looks like Rep. Lee Zeldin, the party's nominee running against Gov. Kathy Hochul, is doing what needs to be done for him to have a chance. Late last month Zeldin announced the endorsements from the New Era Democrats, as well as Rev. Rubén Díaz, Sr., and former Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind. On Tuesday, Zeldin announced in a press release he had also been endorsed by New York City Councilman Robert Holden. 

Advertisement

Council Holden spoke with Fox News about his endorsement, mentioning that "we can see it on those streets any time you go outside in New York City, there seems to be problems." He specifically mentioned the subways, sharing "my wife won't ride the subway at all, because of the violence that we see and it's gotten out of hand, so all you have to do is look around." Holden, who described himself as "a common sense Democrat," said "I'll endorse Republicans when I think they're better for the job, and certainly Lee Zeldin is better for the job than Kathy Hochul, our current governor."

Holden also criticized "the ridiculous mandates" Hochul imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to steep numbers of residents fleeing to other states, namely Florida, in addition to the increased crime that was brought up once again, with Holden mentioning how very few criminals face jail time. "We're under siege here, and we need help, and we need a governor that will, again, stop the revolving door that we have in our courts now."

Advertisement

While Holden said he's been told he has "guts" for endorsing Zeldin, he made clear "it's not guts, it's the right thing to do," bringing up once more how "Kathy Hochul did nothing to really remedy this ridiculous bail reform we have here in New York City and New York State."

Another Democrat, Andrew Stein who is a former New York City Council president and state Assembly member, wrote an op-ed for The New York Post explaining his endorsement.

In it he highlighted the crime rates, as well as the amount of people fleeing:

Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have left the state, taking billions of dollars in tax revenue with them, putting our state at risk of a fiscal crisis.

Just as serious, and even more visible, there’s demonstrable evidence of the rise in violent crime every day, as well as the absolute failure of law enforcement in our city and state to do anything about it.

Put directly, despite the best efforts of Mayor Eric Adams (whom I supported), the Legislature and a number of prosecutors — including but not limited to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg — have created a turnstile justice system that’s been singularly responsible for an unprecedented increase in violent crime over the last few years.

We must do something about this.

Accordingly, I am supporting Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for governor, against Gov. Kathy Hochul this November.

The outrageous taxation and anti-business policies Hochul and Democrats in the Legislature imposed have led to the mass exodus of the state’s wealthy residents — and in turn, for this impending economic catastrophe.

Advertisement

When it comes to the issue of crime that Zeldin and the Democrats endorsing him focus on, the Republican nominee released his television ad focusing on that issue as well.

While forecasters seem sure that Gov. Hochul will win in November, polls show that the race is somewhat tighter than the ratings suggest. Earlier this month, a poll from The Trafalgar Group showed Gov. Hochul with a lead of just 4.4 percent, at 47.8 percent to Zeldin's 43.4 percent. A co/efficient poll from last week similarly shows Hochul with just a 6 point lead, with Hochul having 49 percent support to Zeldin's 43 percent. 

Hochul herself also seems to be running scared, as she still has not agreed to debate Zeldin. She does often tweet about him, though. And, while campaigning last month for Pat Ryan, who ultimately won his special election, the governor invoked Zeldin's name in demanding Republicans leave the state since they "are not New Yorkers."

Advertisement

The race is now less than two months away. If elected, Zeldin would be New York's first Republican governor since Gov. George Pataki, who was first elected in 1994, which was very much a red wave year. 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement