Representative Lee Zeldin of New York’s First Congressional District was named the Republican candidate for governor of New York at the State Republican Party’s convention, held in Garden City on Monday and Tuesday.
Though Mr. Zeldin may face several challengers for the nomination in a primary election, he received 85 percent of the vote at the party’s convention. Should he weather a primary challenge from hopefuls including Rob Astorino, a former Westchester County executive, Andrew Giuliani, a former Trump administration official and son of the former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Harry Wilson, an investor and businessman who announced his candidacy just nine days ago but has pledged to spend $12 million of his own money to gain the nomination, Mr. Zeldin is likely to face Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took office only seven months ago and may face her own primary challengers.
Mr. Zeldin’s designation as the Republican nominee came three days after the State Conservative Party also named him its designee for governor.
A native of Long Island who lives in Shirley, Mr. Zeldin named Alison Esposito, a New York Police Department deputy inspector, as his running mate on Feb. 23.
The governor has challengers for the Democratic nomination, Representative Tom Suozzi of the state’s Third Congressional District and Jumaane Williams, New York City’s public advocate and a former member of the New York City Council.
Regardless of who, ultimately, is the Democratic Party’s nominee, Mr. Zeldin faces strong headwinds. Though he has won four consecutive elections in the First District, his odds are far longer in a statewide race, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than two- to-one.
Mr. Zeldin is also saddled, in blue-state New York, with his long record of support for and defense of former President Trump. The state overwhelmingly voted for President Biden over Mr. Trump in 2020, the president winning by almost two million votes.
One of the former president’s most stalwart defenders, Mr. Zeldin was widely criticized for voting against certification of the 2020 election results and supporting efforts to overturn the election. He was the only member of Long Island’s congressional delegation to vote against the creation of a commission to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the United States Capitol.
The State Democratic Party was quick to issue a statement on Tuesday. “The New York G.O.P. is starting off the 2022 election cycle on a dangerous foot — touting the same hatred, lies, and division that led to attacks on our democracy,” it read. “Led by none other than Trump’s top defender and ally, Lee Zeldin, the New York G.O.P. Convention was a full-blown embrace of Donald Trump and his support for right-wing extremism, abortion bans, and election conspiracies.”
“By nominating Big Lie Lee for governor, the New York G.O.P. is sending a blaring signal to New Yorkers that their plans for 2022 are pandering to the far right, promoting an out-of-touch agenda, and dividing our state.”
A primary election would be held on June 28, with early voting to happen from June 18 to 26.
