Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Lee Zeldin

Lee Zeldin

  • Democratic and Republican Candidates for Governor Offer Varied Housing Plans

    New York City (photo: Governor's Office)


    New Yorkers are voting this month in the Democratic and Republican primaries for Governor as the state grapples with an affordable housing crisis that has hit downstate regions home to some two-thirds of its population the hardest. The issue has been far more elevated among the three Democratic candidates to lead the state for the next four years, with the four Republican candidates largely ignoring the topic. That trend changed somewhat when Gotham Gazette asked the Republican campaigns about the issue.

    Candidates on both sides of the aisle do

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  • Zeldin the Apparent Favorite But Republican Race for Governor Fluid as Primary Day Nears, Experts Say

    Rob Astorino, Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, and Andrew Giuliani (l-r)


    With under a week until primary day, June 28, and early voting underway, Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin by most measures appears to be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for New York Governor in this year’s election.

    But some experts suggest that the race remains open and hard to predict.

    Andrew Giuliani, a former Trump aide, lays claim to certain advantages with the GOP primary electorate, including his association

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  • With Early Voting Underway, Republican Candidates for Governor Try to Separate Themselves at Debate

    (l-r) Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, Andrew Giuliani, Rob Astorino 


    With early voting underway for the June 28 primary election, the four Republican candidates for Governor of New York faced off on Monday for the second debate of the race, hosted by Spectrum News NY1. It was one of their last opportunities to introduce themselves to voters, outline their priorities, and differentiate themselves from the competition. The candidates are expected to meet again at a debate hosted by Newsmax in Rochester on Tuesday. 

    At Monday’s debate, there was limited daylight on most issues among the four candidates: U.S.

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  • Where They Stand: Compare Democratic and Republican Candidates for Governor on the Issues

    (l-r) Top: Jumaane Williams, Kathy Hochul, Tom Suozzi; Bottom: Rob Astorino, Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, Andrew Giuliani 


    The Democratic and Republican primaries in the race to become the next Governor of New York are fast-approaching, with early voting June 18-26 and primary day June 28. With three Democrats and four Republicans making their cases to voters and so much at stake for the future of the state, it's all the more important to compare where the candidates stand on the issues and what they are promising to do if elected.

    Use the interactive tool below to compare the Democratic or Republican

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  • Republican Candidates for Governor Meet for Fiery Debate

    Rob Astorino, Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, and Andrew Giuliani (l-r)


    With early voting for the June 28 primary set to begin on Saturday, the four Republican candidates for governor faced off in the sole debate of the race on Monday. The debate was hosted by CBS2, and moderated by anchor Maurice DuBois and reporter Marcia Kramer.

    Appearing in person at the debate were former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, and businessman Harry Wilson; Andrew Giuliani, a former White House aide and the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, participated virtually after refusing to

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  • Should New York Adopt a Two-Term Limit for Statewide Elected Officials?

    Governor Cuomo sworn in for a third term (photo: office of Andrew Cuomo)


    Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in the early 19th century that "intrigue and corruption are a natural vice of elected governments; but when the head of state can be reelected these vices spread beyond bounds and compromise the very existence of the country.”

    Governor Kathy Hochul apparently agrees. In her January State of the State message, delivered five months after Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned under threat of impeachment and she assumed office, she

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  • The Question Hanging Over the New York GOP Convention: Who Can Win in November?

    NY GOP gubernatorial candidates Lee Zeldin, Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson, and Rob Astorino (l-r)


    Optimism reigned at the recent New York Republican Party state convention on Long Island, but tempering the bravado was the fact that this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the last statewide Republican win in the Empire State.

    That drought was widely acknowledged and inspired the remarks of the four major Republican candidates for Governor this year, with each taking the stage at the Garden City Hotel in Nassau County to convince party leaders, members of the media, and others of their electability. While

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  • ‘The Stakes Have Never Been Higher’: GOP Frontrunner Lee Zeldin Intensifies Campaign for Governor

    the stakes higher

    Rep. Lee Zeldin (photo: @Congressman Lee Zeldin)


    Republican leaders in nearly every county in New York have endorsed Long Island Congressional Rep. Lee Zeldin for governor in this year’s election, making him the perceived frontrunner for the party’s nomination. Zeldin, now in his fourth term in Congress representing New York’s 1st District, is forgoing a bid for reelection to the House of Representatives in order to attempt breaking the four-term Democratic hold on the governor’s office.

    But, in order to have a shot at the governor’s office,

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  • Q&A: Andrew Giuliani, Republican Candidate for Governor of New York

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    Andrew Giuliani (photo: Instagram)


    Andrew Giuliani, Trump administration alum and son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is outperforming his rival GOP candidates in the polls early in this year’s race for governor.

    Statewide, Republican leadership has dubbed Long Island Congressional Rep. Lee Zeldin the presumptive nominee, and Zeldin’s campaign has far out-fundraised the other candidates. But Giuliani is confident in his chances, and early polling is bolstering his case.

    Just 36 years old, Giuliani is a first-time candidate for office and running on

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