Zeldin, DeSantis Rally Brings Out Large Crowd On Long Island

LONG ISLAND, NY — A sea of supporters turned out on Long Island Saturday night for a "Get Out The Vote" rally for Lee Zeldin —who is facing off against incumbent Kathy Hochul in the gubernatorial race — with guest Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Alison Esposito, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, also attended the Hauppauge event, held at Zeldin's campaign headquarters. The New York Post reported that Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin will join Zeldin Monday in Westchester for another rally.

A cheering crowd, with thousands of supporters, frequently burst into chants of "Zeldin! Zeldin!" turned out.

Zeldin took the stage with his wife and twin teen daughters. "Are you ready to fire Kathy Hochul? Ten more days — one week and half left and we have this incredible opportunity to save our state!" Zeldin said.

His remark was met with loud cheers.

During the rally, Zeldin brought up issues he's centered his platform upon. New York, he said, leads the nation in "out migration. . .The state is at a breaking point."

New Yorkers, Zeldin said, are being hit hard in the wallets, their safety, their freedom and the quality of their children's education. "New Yorkers are looking elsewhere, and seeing where their money will go further and where they will feel safer and live freer. That's why New York leads the nation in population loss. We have the opportunity in 10 days to turn it all around."

He added: "We are not going anywhere," Zeldin said. "We are staying to fight for our state — taking it back in 10 days."

Zeldin also referred to the single debate he and Hochul had last week, discussing his stance on declaring a state of emergency against crime in New York. He has vowed to put the brakes on cashless bail and revoke bail reform. Hochul has spoken out about the need to get illegal guns off the streets.

Zeldin, at the rally, also reiterated his pledge to remove New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg on his first day in office. Zeldin accused Bragg of saying he was not going to enforce various laws and brought up Jose Alba, a clerk charged with murder after fatally stabbing an assailant.

At the debate, Hochul countered that Zeldin could not "throw out someone you don't agree with" and that a lawmaker had to abide by the will of the people.

Kathy Hochul, Zeldin said, was never elected governor. "She was lieutenant governor and is filling the remainder of someone else's term, but she acts like she is running for her 15th term. It's important to be humble."

In his 20th year serving in the Army, currently in the Army Reserves, Zeldin he is outranked by many, and it's a reminder to stay grounded.

Looking out at the hundreds gathered, he said, "We started to plan this event yesterday," noting the "energy and momentum that we have. We are pushing full steam ahead. We are not looking back. Losing this race is not an option."

Zeldin also spoke to his feelings on COVID mandates and vaccines. "My position is, if you want it, get it. If you don't, don't. But don't do it because you are serving me. There should be no COVID vaccine mandate on anyone, at any level, for any reason, anywhere. And everyone who was fired should get their jobs back with back pay," he said. "One Day 1, every single COVID mandate we can get rid of, will be gone."

Zeldin also said he supports reversing the ban on safe extraction of natural gas in New York State.

He also joked about how how actor Mark Ruffalo "hurt his feelings" with a post on Twitter telling Zeldin to "Frack off" and urging people to vote for Hochul and keep drinking water safe.

"Leonardo DiCaprio retweeted it. I was crushed. I was humiliated," Zeldin said. "And then Amy Shumer Tweeted it. I just needed to be out with my friends tonight to recover from the devastating impact.”

Zeldin said the reason why fighting crime was so important to him was his family; he discussed a recent drive-by gang shooting that took place outside his home while his daughters were home alone doing homework.

"All across this state, people want to take their streets back," Zeldin said. "They're upset about DAs releasing violent criminals to run free."

Zeldin then introduced DeSantis to cheers.

"Are you ready to save New York State? Are you ready to elect Lee Zeldin as your governor?" DeSantis asked. "I'm so happy to be here. It's great in politics when you don't have to choose between the lesser of two evils and you can support a strong, capable candidate. Lee Zledin is that man. He's a veteran, with very strong values and, most important, he's capable of exercising leadership, something you need more than anything else, especially out of the governor's office."

DeSantis discussed his own record, recalling when he stood "strong" against COVID mandates.

"Lee Zeldin will be making the same types of decisions to protect your freedom that I made to protect the people of Florida," he said.

He added: "Florida is a law and order state and I am a law and order governor. If Lee Zeldin gets into office, New York will become a law and order state — and he will be a law and order governor."

The crowd began chanting "Zeldin!" once gain.

Zeldin, DeSantis said, will stand up for law enforcement. He also said Zeldin would fight back against COVID vaccine and mask mandates in schools and support the rights of parents. He also spoke out against "indoctrinating kids" and critical race theories.

DeSantis also spoke out against allowing gender ideology in elementary schools.

After the rally, Hochul's campaign fired back in a statement, accoding to Politico: “Ron DeSantis and Glenn Youngkin are prime examples of far-right Republicans who have worked to roll back abortion rights and bring more guns into their communities, Lee Zeldin is cut from the same extremist cloth.”

Concluding his remarks, DeSantis said. "If you are tired of the same old, same old story, you have the power to turn the page. You have the power to elect Lee Zeldin as the next governor of the state of New York. This will be the 21st century version of the shot heard round the world."