HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Suffolk County man has been charged with a hate crime after he allegedly vandalized a lawn sign supporting now-Republican gubernatorial nominee Lee Zeldin with antisemitic graffiti earlier this week.
The spray-painted message, which included a swastika, the word "Gambino," and the number 187, was found on a campaign sign on the corner of West Pulaski Road and Oakwood Road in Huntington Station on Sunday at around 10:05 a.m., police said.
The number refers to murder in the California penal code and is commonly understood as a death threat.
Vincent J. Mckie, 41, was outside his home on Oakwood Road on Tuesday at 12:25 p.m. He was charged with first-degree aggravated harassment, a hate crime, and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Mckie will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date, police said.
"In the United States, we settle our scores at the ballot box, and this type of raw hate must never have any home on Long Island or anywhere else in our state and country," said Zeldin campaign spokesperson Katie Vincentz in a statement on Sunday.
"Congressman Zeldin is more focused now than ever on Saving Our State," Vincentz added.
If elected, Zelden would become the first Jewish Republican governor of New York.
The 42-year-old four-term Suffolk County representative defeated Andrew Giuliani, Rob Astorino and Harry Wilson in Tuesday's primary.
Zeldin will now be pitted against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in November.
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