In big numbers and with big energy Tuesday night, a crowd of Staten Islanders cheered on the candidate they hope will be the first Republican governor in two decades.

“Zeldin! Zeldin! Zeldin!” they chanted.

With one week to go until the final day of voting, Lee Zeldin and his running mate, Alison Esposito, brought their “Save Our State” bus to the South Shore for the Staten Island Republican Party’s annual “Get Out the Vote” rally.


What You Need To Know

  • Crime was the top focus for list of speakers up and down the ballot

  • Enthusiasm for Zeldin could benefit other GOP candidates on his ticket

  • Staten Island is New York City's most politically conservative corner

“These are your streets! This is your subway! These streets belong to law-abiding New Yorkers,” Zeldin shouted to the crowd. “You should be able to get from Point A to Point B without having your head on some swivel.”

Speaking before Zeldin and making his point with much more dystopian imagery, former New York City mayor and personal attorney to Donald Trump Rudy Giuliani also depicted the state as crime-ridden under Democratic rule.

Zeldin was joined by several others on his party’s slate, including state attorney candidate Michael Henry, state comptroller candidate Paul Rodriguez and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Pinion, who could all benefit from enthusiasm for Zeldin at the polls.

The gubernatorial candidate said his supporters can go to sleep on Election Night with smiles on their faces “because you did what they said was impossible … with every ounce of energy, telling everyone we know to make sure they show up. We will once again have a Republican governor again here in the State of New York.”

Speaking earlier in the day with reporters in midtown Manhattan, Zeldin responded to Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul’s argument that Zeldin isn’t fighting for public safety if he opposes gun safety measures.

“We also need to know that there are crimes being committed with hands, with machetes, with knives and there’s also crimes being committed with drugs and other illicit activities,” he said.

On Staten Island, several speakers at the raucous rally had much more condemnation of Hochul, seeking her first full term, than they did praise of Zeldin, a Long Island congressman.

“Hochul’s gotta go! Hochul’s gotta go!” the attendees chanted.In big numbers and with big energy Tuesday night, a crowd of Staten Islanders cheered on the candidate they hope will be the first Republican governor in two decades.

“Zeldin! Zeldin! Zeldin!” they chanted.

With one week to go until the final day of voting, Lee Zeldin and his running mate, Alison Esposito, brought their “Save Our State” bus to the South Shore for the Staten Island Republican Party’s annual “Get Out the Vote” rally.

“These are your streets! This is your subway! These streets belong to law-abiding New Yorkers,” Zeldin shouted to the crowd. “You should be able to get from Point A to Point B without having your head on some swivel.”

Speaking before Zeldin and making his point with much more dystopian imagery, former New York City mayor and personal attorney to Donald Trump Rudy Giuliani also depicted the state as crime-ridden under Democratic rule.

Zeldin was joined by several others on his party’s slate, including state attorney candidate Michael Henry, state comptroller candidate Paul Rodriguez and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Pinion, who could all benefit from enthusiasm for Zeldin at the polls.

The gubernatorial candidate said his supporters can go to sleep on Election Night with smiles on their faces “because you did what they said was impossible … with every ounce of energy, telling everyone we know to make sure they show up. We will once again have a Republican governor again here in the State of New York.”

Speaking earlier in the day with reporters in midtown Manhattan, Zeldin responded to Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul’s argument that Zeldin isn’t fighting for public safety if he opposes gun safety measures.

“We also need to know that there are crimes being committed with hands, with machetes, with knives and there’s also crimes being committed with drugs and other illicit activities,” he said.

On Staten Island, several speakers at the raucous rally had much more condemnation of Hochul, seeking her first full term, than they did praise of Zeldin, a Long Island congressman.

“Hochul’s gotta go! Hochul’s gotta go!” the attendees chanted.