LI Rep. Lee Zeldin named 'presumptive' GOP nominee for NY governor

Lee Zeldin
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) attends a press conference on the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinians on May 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Photo credit Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The New York State Republican Party has thrown its support behind Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin in the gubernatorial race.

Zeldin received more than 85% of the votes in a “straw poll” the state’s County GOP committees participated in on Monday, making him the state’s presumptive GOP nominee, the party said in a press release.

The congressman announced his plan to run for governor this past April.

“Since announcing our candidacy for governor, together we’ve built a groundswell of support inside and outside of politics from every corner of our state,” Zeldin said in a statement. “For so many New Yorkers, this is a last chance to save our state, to return New york from the brink and restore it to glory.”

“Today’s vote underscores that the Republican Party is united in this mission, and in November 2022, we will win because we have to win,” he added.

Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who ran for governor of New York in 2014, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s son, Andrew Giuliani, are also vying to run against Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the general election.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images