The state’s Republican Party endorsed U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) as its candidate for governor during a convention at the Garden City Hotel Tuesday.
Zeldin, who received more than 85 percent of the party’s vote, said he was honored to be endorsed and ready to start the “rescue mission” for New Yorkers.
“We are going to win this race because we have to win this race,” Zeldin said.
Zeldin said he favored furthering efforts to support law enforcement officials, eliminate cashless bail and enact a voter ID law. His running mate, NYPD commanding officer Alison Esposito, was also endorsed by the party during the convention.
“It’s about restoring New York to glory, it’s about backing the blue unapologetically, loving our heroic, selfless, dedicated men and women and it’s about repealing cashless bail,” Zeldin said to a roar of applause from those in attendance.
Zeldin, who was endorsed by the Nassau GOP last month, and other officials said they recognized that Republican votes alone cannot win these statewide races. Zeldin raised approximately $4.2 million as of January, more than potential primary challengers Robert Astorino and Andrew Giuliani, according to campaign filings.
Zeldin, a supporter of Donald Trump, rarely mentioned the former president during the convention, saying, “I’m my own man.”
The congressman representing the state’s 1st District voted against a resolution that claimed the former president “incited an insurrection against the government of the United States” with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. During Trump’s impeachment probe in January 2021, Zeldin said, “Let’s be honest that this president did a lot to make America greater than ever.”
Zeldin also said the Jan. 6 event was a “pre-planned attack,” citing pipe bombs that were discovered and saying the Capitol’s perimeter was breached while Trump was speaking.
After receiving the state GOP’s backing, Zeldin would potentially face Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was endorsed by the state’s Democratic party earlier this year.
Nassau County and state Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs touted Hochul’s accomplishments and efforts to cut taxes for New Yorkers since taking over for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August.
“Governor Kathy Hochul has established that she has what it takes to govern New York effectively,” Jacobs said in a statement. “From the moment she assumed the role, she has led this state with empathy, intelligence, and actual common sense.”
