Gotham Gazette

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Lee Zeldin

Lee Zeldin

  • Max Politics Podcast: Joe Borelli on New York Republicans' Strong 2022 Election and What Comes Next

    City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (photo: John McCarten/NYC Council)


    November 17, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Why Republicans Had Such a Good Election in New York

    Republican Joe Borelli, City Council minority leader and a major booster of Lee Zeldin for Governor, joined the show to discuss the New York GOP's strong showing in the 2022 elections — how it happened, what it means, and what comes next.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the show

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  • An Initial Look at Voter Turnout in New York's 2022 General Election

    Gov. Hochul votes (photo: @KathyHochul)


    Approximately 5.7 million New Yorkers across the state cast ballots in one of the closest races for governor in over two decades, according to unofficial 2022 election data. Some votes, especially final absentee ballots, are still being counted.

    That amounts to roughly 43% of New York's 13.1 million registered voters, a lower turnout than in the 2018 gubernatorial election, when a surge of electoral enthusiasm driven by opposition to the Trump presidency and other factors pushed turnout to 48%.

    In 2018, Democrats cruised to victories in

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  • Democrat Kathy Hochul, New York's First Female Governor, Elected to Full Term

    Gov. Hochul sworn in, August 2021 (photo: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)


    Democrat Kathy Hochul, New York's first female governor, was elected to the position for the first time Tuesday, winning a full term in a race that put Democrats' control over the traditionally blue bastion to the test.

    The race was called just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, with Hochul beating her Republican challenger, U.S. Rep Lee Zeldin, by an unclear margin given lags in vote reporting from Zeldin’s home county of Suffolk. By early Wednesday morning when most votes were counted, Hochul's margin over Zeldin was

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  • Paths to Victory for Hochul, Zeldin as 2022 New York Governor's Race Concludes

    Out to vote (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    With Election Day arriving, the tightening race for governor of New York has been one of the 2022 election cycle's biggest surprises.

    In the long-time calculus of New York elections, any Republican would need stars to align across the map to win statewide, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one. Even party-unaffiliated voters are now a larger group in New York than registered Republicans. 

    The math

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  • Max Politics Podcast: High Hopes for the New York GOP

    Lee Zeldin, left, and John Burnett (photo: @IamJohnBurnett)


    November 4, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: High Hopes for the New York GOP

    John Burnett, Executive Vice Chairman of the New York State Republican Party, joined the show to discuss the GOP's high hopes for this year's elections, especially in the race for Governor where Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin is running against Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and appears within striking distance.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax.

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  • Don't Mistake Lee Zeldin’s Empty Soundbites for Moderation

    Lee Zeldin at the Spectrum News debate (photo: pool)


    In 2020, I ran for Congress in Suffolk County on a platform of facts, truth, and evidence-based solutions for my local community. My opponent was Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin, who already had a long history in Congress of denying facts and relying on soundbites to take the place of real accomplishments. With the gubernatorial election happening now, New Yorkers need to look beyond Zeldin’s shallow rhetoric, and instead look at his record to truly understand the harmful agenda he will bring if elected to the highest

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Understanding the Numbers Game of the New York Governor's Race

    The New York State Capitol (photo: Darren McGee/Governor's Office)


    November 3, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Understanding the Numbers Game in the Governor's Race

    Bruce Gyory, a political scientist and strategist, joined the show to lay out key numbers in the race for Governor; break down racial, ethnic, regional, and other demographic trends; and explain paths to victory for Kathy Hochul and Lee Zeldin.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the

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  • Updated New York Voter Enrollment Numbers Show Playing Field for 2022 Election

    Voter registration (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    New York State added over 400,000 voters to the rolls since the last gubernatorial election in 2018, a 3% increase in total enrollment, according to the latest data released by the State Board of Elections on Tuesday.

    The 424,000 net additional voters since 2018 bring the total to 13.1 million registered voters statewide, roughly the number of those eligible to vote in this month’s major 2022 elections for Governor and other statewide positions, seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the State Legislature, and other

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Breaking Down the Hochul-Zeldin Debate

    Lee Zeldin & Kathy Hochul at their debate


    October 25, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Breaking Down the Hochul-Zeldin Debate

    After Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin debated Tuesday night in the race for Governor, two experts joined host Ben Max to analyze the big event: Dr. Christina Greer, political science professor at Fordham University, and Casey Seiler, editor of the Albany Times Union.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the show through the

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  • Hochul and Zeldin Offer Vastly Different Visions in Lone Debate of Gubernatorial Race

    Lee Zeldin and Kathy Hochul at Tuesday's debate


    Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat seeking her first full term as governor, faced off against her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of Long Island, on Tuesday night in the only debate of the governor’s race.

    In an hour-long debate hosted by Spectrum News, the two candidates attacked each other’s records and clashed on crime and public safety, the economy, abortion, ethics, democracy, and more. They outlined vastly different assessments of where New York stands today and visions for where to take it in the future, seeking to make an impression

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  • 4 Things to Watch in the Lone Kathy Hochul-Lee Zeldin Debate

    Kathy Hochul and Lee Zeldin


    In what should be must-see TV for New Yorkers, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin are set to debate tonight for the first and only time in the general election for Governor.

    The debate, held at Pace University in Manhattan, will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Spectrum News and be moderated by anchors Errol Louis and Susan Arbetter (and broadcast online for those who don’t get Spectrum television). It comes two weeks before Election Day, November 8, with absentee balloting underway

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  • What the Polls Say About the New York Governor's Race

    What the Polls Say About the New York Governor's Race

    Kathy Hochul and Lee Zeldin


    With under three weeks till Election Day, a set of recent polls in the New York governor’s race show U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee, catching up to incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. They appear to indicate a growing possibility that New York could elect its first Republican governor since George Pataki won a third and final term in 2002, despite that such an outcome seemed like a big longshot just weeks ago.

    But a deeper dive into polling trends shows that Zeldin continues to face an uphill battle and

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  • Hochul Raises Massive Sum in Final State Election Before New Campaign Finance System Kicks In

    Then-Gov. Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Hochul (photo: Governor's Office)


    Since Kathy Hochul became governor in August 2021, 47 people have given the maximum amount – $69,700 – directly to her campaign, according to campaign finance filings through October 3.

    In total, the governor's campaign has brought in $46 million in her first 14 months in office. That massive sum will not be as easy to accumulate in future elections thanks to a new state campaign finance system that will lower individual contribution limits and establish a

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  • In Governor's Race, Hochul and Zeldin Differ Greatly on Climate Issues

    Gov. Hochul with electric vehicles (photo: office of Governor Kathy Hochul)


    In a race with many clear differences, there may be no issue on which Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin are offering more divergent visions in this year’s New York gubernatorial election than on climate and environmental policy.

    While Hochul seeks a full term to continue implementation of New York’s sweeping shift to renewable energy and advance many policies related to environmental protection, Zeldin has been

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Resetting the 2022 Race for New York Governor with Under 6 Weeks To Go

    Get ready to vote (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    September 29, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Resetting the 2022 Race for New York Governor with Under 6 Weeks To Go

    Bob Hardt, New York Political Director for Spectrum News, joined the show to discuss where the 2022 race for New York Governor stands with under six weeks until Election Day, what the latest polling says, how Gov. Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin are positioning themselves, whether there will be a debate, and more.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter

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  • The Issues Dominating the 2022 Election for New York Governor: Where The Candidates Stand

    Kathy Hochul and Lee Zeldin


    This is Part 2 of a two-part article on the issues dominating the 2022 general election for New York Governor between Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin.Read Part 1 here.

    As Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin face off in this year’s election for Governor of New York, several top issues have emerged based on what the candidates

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  • The Issues Dominating the 2022 General Election for New York Governor

    Kathy Hochul and Lee Zeldin


    This is Part 1 of a two-part article on the issues dominating the 2022 race for New York Governor.

    After winning their respective primaries, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican Congressional Representative Lee Zeldin are now competing in the general election to become New York Governor from 2023 through 2026.

    The favorites from the start, Hochul and Zeldin both won by comfortable margins in the June primaries. Hochul, a moderate from the Buffalo area and the

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  • As General Election for Governor Heats Up, Zeldin's Congressional Votes Contrast with New York Public Opinion

    Rep. Lee Zeldin on the campaign trail (photo: @leezeldin)


    As Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin runs to become New York Governor, he has made the core planks of his general election campaign crime and cost of living. Meanwhile, he has sought to further energize his base to “fire” Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul over a lack of public safety, high taxes, her role as Lieutenant Governor, and more.

    But as the fall general election approaches, Zeldin has continued to take votes in Congress that signify

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  • What Is Lee Zeldin's Gubernatorial Campaign Platform?

    Rep. Lee Zeldin on the campaign trail (photo: @leezeldin)


    U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for New York Governor in this year’s election, is focusing his campaign on public safety, the economy, and cost of living.

    Representing the 1st Congressional District on Long Island, Zeldin is a conservative with close ties to former President Donald Trump trying to accomplish a feat no New York Republican has over the last 20 years: win a statewide election.

    Zeldin’s campaign often

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  • Hochul Spent $26 Million on Primary Win, Far Outspending Opponents

    Governor Kathy Hochul (photo: governor's office)


    Governor Kathy Hochul has raised more than $38.8 million for her campaign -- the vast majority of it in the 11 months since she became governor -- and spent a whopping $26 million to win the June 28 Democratic primary, according to the latest campaign finance filings with the State Board of Elections.

    Hochul, New York’s first female governor, handily won the primary with 66.5% of the vote against her opponents, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who received 19% of the vote, and Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island, who got 12.8%. Hochul

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  • Zeldin Rejected from Independence Party Ballot Line After Submitting Faulty Signatures

    U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (photo: Lee Zeldin flickr)


    U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for governor, was denied the additional general election ballot line for the Independence Party on Thursday after election administrators found his campaign had submitted over 12,000 invalid ballot petition signatures. The petition was reviewed after Libertarian Party officials filed an objection, claiming they found over 11,000 signatures that had been duplicated by photocopy on the document submitted to the state Board of Elections.

    Republicans had filed an independent nominating petition for the

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  • Voter Turnout in New York Gubernatorial Primary Drops Sharply from 2018 Surge

    Voter turnout back down (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    Voter turnout in New York City and State declined dramatically – by nearly half – from the 2018 Democratic primary for governor to the one that closed on Tuesday. 

    In the race for the party's nomination, Governor Kathy Hochul won – by a wide margin – with close to the same number of votes Cynthia Nixon received in 2018 when she lost the Democratic nomination to incumbent governor Andrew Cuomo by a wide margin. The turnout this month was closer to

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  • Lee Zeldin Wins Republican Nomination for New York Governor

    Lee Zeldin, center, on the campaign trail (photo: Zeldin campaign)


    U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who represents New York’s 1st District on Long Island, won the Republican nomination for governor on Tuesday. Zeldin appeared headed to a fairly wide margin of victory in a highly competitive race, defeating three opponents in the primary: businessman Harry Wilson, former Trump White House aide Andrew Giuliani, and former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who was the 2014 Republican nominee for governor.

    The race was called by Spectrum News on Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m. as Zeldin's margin

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  • Supreme Court Rulings Put Gun Control and Abortion at Center of New York Elections

    A rally in support of abortion rights (photo: Mike Groll/Governor's Office)


    The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority issued two major rulings this past week, overturning Roe v. Wade federal abortion rights and striking down a New York State law that limited the concealed carrying of firearms. Both judgements have sprawling national implications, including as this year’s elections will decide control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with several swing races here in New York.

    The decisions have also brought abortion rights and gun control to the forefront in the middle of a

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  • Republican Gubernatorial Primary Debates Rife with Misinformation about 2020 Election, January 6 Insurrection, Covid, and More

    Republican primary debate in race for NY Governor (photo: pool)


    The four Republican candidates running for governor have faced off in three debates ahead of the June 28 primary, each attempting to set themselves apart from the others and from the Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, who they want to replace. But in their appeals to the party faithful, three of the candidates have indulged in misinformation, half-truths, and outright lies about the 2020 presidential election, the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection, the covid vaccine, criminal justice reforms in

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