Despite loss, Zeldin remains proud of 'once-in-a-generation campaign'

Zeldin reflected on what he accomplished in defeat, while hoping Democrats in power learn from the close race

Per Fox News:

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin came up short in his attempt to unseat Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2022 election, but he does not view his defeat as a total loss.

With the highest vote total of any GOP candidate for New York governor in more than half a century, Zeldin said his campaign showed it is possible to reach non-Republicans in a deep blue state like New York.

"I feel like the results showed how effective the campaign was reaching out beyond Republicans," Zeldin told the New York Post. "We’ll see what the final tally is. But the only way to come this close in the state like New York — one of the bluest states in the country — is to be able to connect with Democrats and independents as well."

At last count, Zeldin had 2.6 million votes, more than any other Republican running for state office in New York. It is also more than the last Republican governor, George Pataki, garnered in each of his three election victories. The last time a Republican got more votes for governor was 52 years ago when Nelson Rockefeller got approximately 3 million votes when he was elected to each of his four terms.

In a statement following the election, Zeldin called his effort "a once-in-a-generation campaign" that led to a close outcome.

Zeldin's focus on public safety and law enforcement struck a chord with voters who are concerned about violent crime – especially in New York City. While it was not enough to overcome Hochul, Zeldin indicated his ability to reach voters helped his fellow New York Republicans pick up at least 10 House seats.

"We were running as one-team, one ticket," Zeldin said. "I helped to bring out their voters, they helped to bring out my voters. That’s what happens when you are all working together on these campaigns."

Zeldin also expressed hope that officials in Albany take notice of how well he and his message were received and ultimately make some changes.

"There are a lot of laws that have been passed which have caused some very dangerous, negative consequences and regardless of the makeup of the legislature, whoever is up there should understand that this is a very real issue that needs to be dealt with," he said. 

"I believe that there’s a lot more to be able to secure our streets and our subways," he added. "New Yorkers don’t want to be told that this is just a perception or a conspiracy this is something that has impacted routines and behaviors and life decisions in a way that Albany needs to take extremely seriously."

Zeldin told the Post that when he called Hochul to concede, he said he would assist her in moving the state in the right direction.

"We discussed how it was a hard-fought, spirited campaign," he said. "It’s a day where everyone should understand the sober reality that there are approximately 3 million voters who wanted one outcome and there were just under 3 million voters who wanted a different outcome.

Moving forward, he called on state officials "to digest and come up with a game plan for 2023 that seeks to represent all New Yorkers and not just the people who agree with you."

1 year, 9 months ago

Governors in Iowa, North Dakota and Alabama join GOP colleagues in banning TikTok for state employees

The Republican governors of three more states have joined the growing number of GOP governors who are banning TikTok among state government employees amid security concerns about the Chinese-owned social media platform

1 year, 9 months ago

Arizona Governor Creates Shipping Container Border Wall

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has had hundreds of double-stacked shipping containers topped with razor wire placed on the state’s border with Mexico

1 year, 9 months ago

Stacey Abrams’s Georgia Nonprofit Could Face Criminal Investigations for Unlicensed Fundraising

New Georgia Project's charity license has lapsed in at least nine states

1 year, 10 months ago

Biden says ‘more important things’ than border visit, despite 59 trips to Delaware, 8 stops for ice cream

Biden has yet to visit southern border despite historic crisis under his watch

1 year, 10 months ago

Governor Kristi Noem delivers annual Budget Address, says the state can afford grocery tax cut

In about thirty minutes of remarks, Governor Kristi Noem laid out her administration would like to see nearly $2.2 billion spent over the course of the next fiscal year and a half.

1 year, 10 months ago

‘A Clear And Present Danger To Its Users:’ South Carolina Gov. Bans State Employees From Using TikTok Amid National Security Concerns

South Carolina became the second state in the union Monday to permanently ban state employees’ electronic devices from using TikTok amid federal officials sounding the alarm that the Chinese-based social media app threatens national security