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President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., have thrown their full support behind Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin whose campaign continues to gain on Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., in the polls.
Despite facing a double-digit disadvantage throughout the summer, Zeldin has seen a steady increase in the polls as the Republican congressman continues to emphasize New York’s rampant crime as the centerpiece of his policy platform.
With the race tightening each day, both DeSantis and Trump have vocalized their support of Zeldin’s campaign, seizing upon the potential opportunity to flip New York’s governorship red for the first time in almost two decades.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote Thursday, “Lee Zeldin would be GREAT for New York!”
Trump recently endorsed Zeldin, describing him as a “WINNER who GOT THINGS DONE.” Trump has told New Yorkers that Zeldin will be “strong” on crime and will bring positive changes to the state. “[Zeldin] will be a GREAT Governor of New York,” he said.
DeSantis recently held a rally for Zeldin in New York, urging voters to support Zeldin and remove Hochul from office next Tuesday. DeSantis argued that law-and-order candidate Zeldin would be a better leader for New York.
“The fact of the matter is from crime to fiscal mismanagement to Covid-19 restrictions, New York has gotten it wrong,” DeSantis told Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “Lee Zeldin will get it right, and I think that that will be better for our country if he’s elected governor.”
Florida’s governor explained the influx of people moving to the state of Florida from New York. He said, “I’ve had so many people move from New York, and they are so frustrated with the poor governance up there.”
Asked whether his support of Zeldin would prevent people from leaving New York, which could impact Florida’s recent economic growth, DeSantis explained, “I want all our states to do well.”
Appearing with DeSantis on “Hannity,” Zeldin said his campaign is bringing together Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to bring change to the state of New York.
“We have all the momentum on our side,” he said. “We have all the energy on our side; we have the issues on our side. People are done with Kathy Hochul.”
Asked whether his campaign would “shock” the nation with an upset win in New York, Zeldin said, “We definitely will.”