For Representative

In the race for the New York First Congressional District seat in the House of Representatives, we support Anna Throne-Holst. Given the strong support her opponent, David Calone, had in the Democratic primary among those in local office, she may not be an ideal candidate, but she remains a far better potential representative than the incumbent, Lee Zeldin. 

Chief among our problems with Mr. Zeldin is his early backing of Donald Trump for president. Mr. Trump’s views are far beyond majority Republican opinion on eastern Long Island. That Mr. Zeldin continues to embrace him suggests that he is likewise out of step. 

Mr. Zeldin’s opposition to abortion rights and meaningful gun control demonstrates this, and he has only lately begun to mellow earlier skepticism regarding climate change. He goes even further, however, in stating actual support for Mr. Trump, a bigot and self-absorbed tax cheat. As a congressman, of all people, he must put the United States’ exemplary democracy above craven politics, as have many Republicans of conscience.

Voters should not sit out this contest or mistakenly believe that the skill of Mr. Zeldin’s campaign staff in getting him free media attention through many personal appearances here and on cable news programs indicates real accomplishment. 

Those who dislike much of what Mr. Trump has said or done but still say they will vote for him misunderstand the fundamental nature of the American system of checks and balances. An extremist, Mr. Trump cannot be expected to bring sanity to governance.

Unfortunately, in standing with Mr. Trump, Mr. Zeldin also stands for racism, hatred, and sexual assault, none of which is acceptable and all of which disqualify him, in our view, for another term.