Another Republican has thrown his hat into the race for New York governor.
But U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, of Long Island, who is fresh off his fifth statewide tour, has racked up more than 55 percent of the weighted vote in both the Republican and Conservative parties to become the preferred nominee.
But could we see a repeat of 2010? That’s when Rep. Rick Lazio collected enough endorsements to become the designated nominee for the Republicans, but lost a primary challenge from his right to Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino.
Zeldin told Capital Tonight that the campaign “isn’t looking back” and the campaign is in its “lowest gear."
Any Republican faces an uphill climb to get to the governor’s mansion. The party hasn’t won a statewide race in two decades and faces a steep voter enrollment disadvantage. While Astorino has won in a competitive Westchester County, Zeldin cites his record of winning “seven consecutive hard fought” campaigns where he said he brought together people of all parties.
New York has been one of the hardest hit states throughout the COVID pandemic. The congressman said a Zeldin administration would’ve had any restrictions pass a “common sense smell test” before restricting any rights or businesses.