Gov. Hochul, Rep. Zeldin hold campaign stops ahead of Election Day
HAUPPAUGE, Long Island (WABC) -- Lee Zeldin's message to his Suffolk County supporters on Saturday was that he has a fighting chance to be the first Republican governor since George Pataki - first elected in 1994.
"We are going to declare a crime emergency here in the State of New York," said Zeldin, "Our state was at a crossroads. And we made the decision, the right decision as New Yorkers then, to be able to save our state.
Zeldin introduced Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the final speaker - not the other way around.
"Florida is a law and order state," said DeSantis.
DeSantis is seen as a potential 2024 GOP presidential contender, but he included some of the talking points of his current re-election campaign, including some more controversial topics in New York.
"We've signed legislation in Florida protecting women's sports, and I know Lee Zeldin will stand up for our women athletes," said DeSantis.
Long Island Republicans who were holding DeSantis signs, said they could relate to New Yorkers who move to Florida.
"We need our freedom back, we need to get rid of these mandates and just change the whole direction that we're headed in," said Tony Viscuso.
"I'm encouraged. This encouraged me, to see them in person and that they made the effort to be here for us," added Mary Troiano.
As early voting got underway, Governor Kathy Hochul was in Buffalo to cast her ballot, and was asked what she thought of Florida's governor campaigning for her challenger.
"I don't think a lot of it. This is New York. We have values, where we respect people's rights. Fundamental rights. Rights to vote, for example. Rights to be safe from gun violence and not have everyone on the streets, subways and buses and schools carrying guns which is their policy. We also women's respect basic rights for reproductive freedoms," said Hochul.
In the Bronx on Saturday afternoon, a get out the vote rally for Hochul had Zeldin supporters shouting over local elected officials - in a race that would appear to be tightening even in the boroughs.
With the latest polls giving Governor Hochul only a single-digit lead over Zeldin, expect to see a last-minute push from both campaigns.
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