Rep. Lee Zeldin wins New York Republican gubernatorial nomination

Rep. Lee Zeldin has received the Republican nomination for New York governor after a contentious yearlong marketing campaign.

Zeldin, who represents New York's 1st Congressional District on Lengthy Island, will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in November. He beat out rivals Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York Mayor and Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani, and 2014 Republican gubernatorial nominee Rob Astorino.

ZELDIN LEADS TOPSY-TURVY NY GOP RACE OVER GIULIANI

Zeldin was attacked by his Republican rivals for not supporting Trump sufficient and attacked by Democrats for being too near Trump. The four-way main, which additionally included businessman Harry Wilson, was surprising after most Republican leaders within the state mentioned they'd assist Zeldin when he introduced his run in April 2021, in response to Politico. On the time of his announcement, Zeldin anticipated to face former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the seat, however Cuomo resigned after a collection of sexual harassment allegations in August of final yr.

“We thought by means of this race from 100,000 totally different dimensions and — it’s in our TV adverts. I’ve mentioned it throughout rallies,” Zeldin mentioned. “I really feel it personally even once I don’t categorical it publicly: I’m all in. Dropping this race just isn't an choice. I consider that successful this race for us is the one choice, and on daily basis that goes by, I'm extra assured within the plan.”

Zeldin held a tentative lead over Giuliani within the final days of the first marketing campaign, polling 34.5% to Giuliani's 28%, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 proportion factors.

The final Republican governor of New York was George Pataki, who was in workplace from 1995 to 2006.

Hochul received the Democratic nomination for a full gubernatorial time period by beating again a main problem from Rep. Tom Suozzi, amongst different candidates.