New York gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Republican, said Tuesday former fellow Rep. Antonio Delgado becoming New York's lieutenant governor shows his ties to a scandal-laden administration and will mark the end of his political career in public office.
Zeldin and running mate Alison Esposito, a 24-year NYPD veteran, held an event at The Desmond Hotel in Albany on Tuesday morning to unveil their 10-point plan, if elected, to reform state government with a focus on the economy and public safety.
Delgado foregoing a congressional seat to serve as the state's second-in-command shows he lacked confidence to defeat Republican nominee Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Zeldin said.
"This would have been his last term in the House and instead he gets to spend the last seven or eight months in public service as lieutenant governor," Zeldin said. "But he's not going to be the lieutenant governor in January. The lieutenant governor in January is going to be Alison Esposito."
Zeldin said Delgado becoming part of Hochul's administration, which started in wake of scandals from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration, show where the Hudson Valley Democrat's priorities lie.
"For all things to sign up for, it shows you where his judgment is and where his preference and priorities are," Zeldin said. "This is going to be the end of the road for him as far as his elected office. Maybe one day, he'll run for something else."
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Molinaro agreed Delgado's decision to resign from Congress to serve as lieutenant governor shows he doubted his re-election prospects and doubled down on his confidence he would be elected to Congress.
"Delgado's decision to resign mid-way through the election cycle shows that he knows he would lose in November because of the incredible momentum our campaign has built," Molinaro said in a prepared statement. "Ultimately, the Congressman knows that he and his party are responsible for the crime wave, out of control inflation and illegal attempts to draw themselves safe districts."
"...We were going to win against Delgado and we'll win the special election when it's announced. We aren't changing course, we are full-speed ahead," he added.
Zeldin also blasted Democrats in Albany who voted Monday to change state election law that allowed disgraced former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin to remove himself from the ballot after he resigned last month amid federal charges of bribery and fraud.
The legislation was crafted without proper public discourse or input, Zeldin said.
"The Democrats actually already had candidates on their ballot," Zeldin said. "It would be one thing if they were talking about lessons learned ways to maybe change the law going forward for future elections."
Lawmakers approved Gov. Kathy Hochul's program bill to allow political candidates nominated by any party to sign a certificate and remove themselves from the ballot after they are arrested or charged with one or more misdemeanors or felonies under state or federal law.
"The state Legislature last night took ownership themselves with this scandal when they voted to allow Brian Benjamin to be swapped off the ballot," said Zeldin. "We now have our third lieutenant governor in less than a year. Kathy Hochul is always complicit or out to lunch. She has nothing to say, ever, with regards to any scandal that the rest of us all see unfolding around her.
"...Why is she silent, always, on all of the scandal that's always all around her?" he added.
Representatives with Hochul and Delgado's campaigns could not immediately be reached for comment.