Republican Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt on Tuesday became the latest prominent GOP official in New York to endorse Rep. Lee Zeldin's bid for the party's gubernatorial nomination. 

Ortt's endorsement, made at an Onondaga County Republican event, comes as the party is still likely to see a multi-candidate primary this June: Andrew Giuliani, former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli and activist Derrick Gibson are all campaigning for a chance to run in the general eelction. 

"Now more than ever, New York needs a battle-tested leader like Lee Zeldin who will fight to lower taxes, restore public safety, and meet the everyday challenges facing families and communities across New York," Ortt said on Tuesday. 

Ortt's endorsement is yet another sign of prominent Republican leaders lining up behind Zeldin's bid for governor. The Long Island Republican has received most of the nods from Republican county chairs across the state, and New York Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy has declared Zeldin the "presumptive nominee" following a straw poll of party leaders earlier this year. 

“Leader Ortt knows so well why one-party rule must end in Albany," Zeldin said. "He fights day in and day out to exceptionally represent hard working everyday New Yorkers in a city that is leaving so many people behind. Leader Ortt knows we must end the attacks on our freedoms, wallets and safety, and save our state. That's why he's all in on Team Zeldin."