Rep. Lee Zeldin announces he's running for governor of New York, says 'Cuomo's got to go'

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Rep. Lee Zeldin formally entered the race for governor next year, declaring "Cuomo's got to go."

NEW YORK -- Rep. Lee Zeldin formally entered the race for governor next year, declaring "Cuomo's got to go" in a campaign clearly centered on the embattled three-term incumbent.

Zeldin made the announcement on Fox & Friends Thursday morning, a day after former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's son revealed he was "seriously considering" a run.

The 35-year-old Andrew Giuliani said he talked to former President Donald Trump about his possible run Monday, but Politico reported Wednesday that Trump is "said to be partial" to Zeldin.

Both the Suffolk and Nassau County Republican leaders on Wednesday issued a joint statement in support of Zeldin, of Shirley.

Rob Astorino, the party's 2014 nominee for governor, is expected to join the two other contenders at the Republican county leaders' meeting in Albany later this month, where they will court top state party leaders.

NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy released a statement saying,

"We're thrilled that Congressman Zeldin has officially announced his candidacy for governor. Lee has served our nation honorably in the military, as a state senator and now in the federal government fighting for common sense policies for hardworking New Yorkers. Lee Zeldin would make an excellent governor.

"The New York Republican Party's number one goal is to elect a Republican Governor in 2022. We have been planning and preparing day and night to run and win. At our NYGOP County Chairs meeting on April 19th, we look forward to hearing from Congressman Lee Zeldin and others who will seek the nomination for governor and other important statewide offices."

MORE NEWS: NYS Senate approves budget deal; Assembly votes later Wednesday