With Election Day less than a week away, Gov. Kathy Hochul continued to try to rally her Democratic base while her Republican rival, Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin, was crying foul in a fight over campaign lawn signs.

Perhaps in response to criticism that the party has looked a little sleepy recently, Democrats in Westchester looked to wake up the base and mobilize their troops Wednesday.

“Mount Vernon, make some noise!” bellowed Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who represents parts of Westchester and the Bronx.

What You Need To Know

  • Hochul held a get-out-the-vote rally in Westchester with local Democratic leaders

  • Zeldin said early voting numbers look good for Republicans, although Democrats make the same claim

  • Zeldin said he’s concerned about his lawn signs getting ripped down in the city
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Hochul invoked her favorite football team, the Buffalo Bills, and their quarterback to show the crowd her head is very much in the game.

“This is the Super Bowl!” Hochul said. “I have waited my entire life for a Super Bowl. I am from Buffalo. This is our Super Bowl for the State of New York. And I’m no Josh Allen, but I know how to win a big game.”

Back in the city, Zeldin said the early voting numbers have been encouraging. He pointed out many of those votes are coming from traditionally Republican precincts.

“We are seeing actually in Staten Island over the first three days or so of in-person early voting there are actually more Republicans who came out to vote than Democrats, which is something we haven’t seen on Staten Island before,” Zeldin said Wednesday. “Massive turnout on Long Island for in-person early voting. Stronger numbers coming from Republicans compared to what we have seen in the past.“

Zeldin also responded to reports that his lawn signs have been getting torn down in the city. In a video obtained by NY1, a person can be seen removing Zeldin lawn signs from a grassy area in Brooklyn. Sources said these videos have been all over WhatsApp chats in the Jewish community.

“I understand the shock that they might be going through,” Zeldin said. “Where they are seeing so much outspoken, proud support for us. That’s a good thing. I encourage everybody to vote. I’m running to be the governor for all New Yorkers.”

But Hochul maintains the real momentum is actually with the her and the Democrats as Election Day gets closer.

“People say well you didn’t have rallies last summer. I’ve run 14 elections, you have rallies right before the election,” Hochul said. “When they have the energy and it’s happening in just a couple of days. That’s when you have the momentum. And that momentum is 100% on our side.”

On Thursday, Hochul will hold another get-out-the-vote rally, this time in Manhattan alongside former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris.