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New York Published October 16, 2022 2:18pm EDT

Trump endorses Republican Rep.

Zeldin in New York governor 'toss up'
race against Democrat Hochul
Polling shows more New York independents identifying with Rep. Zeldin's tough on crime platform

By Danielle Wallace | Fox News

Rep. Lee Zeldin closes in on Gov. Hochul in new poll: 'People want to save the state'
New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin (R) discusses his odds of defeating incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and announces his plans to change the
trajectory of New York's crime crisis.

Former President Donald Trump took to TRUTH Social Sunday to endorse Republican Rep.
Lee Zeldin in what’s now being considered a toss off election to dethrone Democrat New
York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

"I have watched and known Congressman Lee Zeldin for many years. He is a great and
brilliant lawyer who was a ‘must see’ for others in Congress when they had a complex
legal problem that was holding up legislation," Trump wrote on Sunday morning. "Lee was
strong on the Border, Crime, our great Military & Vets (like few others!), and fought hard to
protect our 2nd Amendment, and succeeded. Lee Zeldin is a WINNER who GOT THINGS
DONE. He will be a GREAT Governor of New York, and has my Complete & Total
Endorsement. GOOD LUCK LEE!"

The endorsement comes just three weeks from Election Day and a week after a shooting
outside of Zeldin’s home on Long Island added momentum to his tough on crime
campaign.

The Republican has repeatedly criticized Hochul’s support for New York’s controversial
bail reforms and vowed to fire liberal Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on day one
upon taking the helm in Albany.

NEW YORK GOVERNOR RACE BETWEEN GOV. HOCHUL AND REP. ZELDIN TIGHTENS TO
‘TOSS UP’

Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-NY, participates in the annual Columbus Day Parade, the largest in the country, on October 10, 2022, in
New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Hochul campaign condemned Trump’s endorsement of Zeldin as the

leader of the Democratic stronghold state that has not seen a Republican governor in
decades.

"With an endorsement from Trump himself, Lee Zeldin now has a formal stamp of
approval as the most extreme and dangerous candidate to ever run for governor in New
York State history," Hochul campaign spokesman Jerrel Harvey said in a statement
Sunday. "While Trump’s endorsement doesn't come as a surprise, becoming the former
president’s handpicked choice for governor proves Zeldin’s full embrace of the MAGA
agenda and shows just how out of touch he is with New York voters."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul attends the annual Columbus Day Parade, the largest in the country, in Manhattan on October
10, 2022, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

RealClearPolitics recently categorized the race between Hochul and Zeldin as a "toss up."

The outlet’s rolling polling average from Sept. 30 to Oct. 12 shows that Hochul is leading
the Republican congressman by 5.3% with 7% of voters undecided on who they will vote
for. The shift in polls amounts to a significant comeback for Zeldin, who was down in the
polls as much as 24 points in August.

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Congressman Lee Zeldin, center, attends the annual Columbus Day parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with his wife and
16-year-old twin daughters. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Zeldin's campaign for reaction to Trump's endorsement.

Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.

Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips
can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.

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