New York State hasn’t had a Republican governor in 20 years and because of New York City’s skyrocketing crime rate, that might change in 2022.
New York State hasn’t had a Republican governor in 20 years and because of New York City’s skyrocketing crime rate, that might change in 2022.
Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin is poaching traditional Democratic voters in the Big Apple who are fearful of the rising crime rate. Some polls indicate incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul is trailing among independents by double digits. And Zeldin’s support in the city is twice that of previous Republican candidates.
There are red flags for the Democrats all over the map. In one poll, Zeldin has a double-digit lead among Hispanics — 54%-36%.
Hochul led in Democrat-dominated New York City only 53% to 36% in the co/efficient survey, which is the latest one where Zeldin has cleared a key hurdle in his race to become the first Republican to win statewide since ex-Gov. George Pataki 20 years ago.
Republican strategists have said a GOP candidate needs to clear the 30% threshold in New York City to win statewide — along with carrying the suburbs and upstate. Zeldin also captured more than a third of the city’s support in the Quinnipiac College poll released Tuesday.
