Poll: Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin Shows Lead over Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul

U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin waves to supporters before speaking to delegates and assembled party
AP Photo/John Minchillo

The Republican candidate for New York governor, Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), released an internal poll Monday showing that he can beat Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was only elevated to the position following the former governor’s resignation.

The internal campaign survey, first reported by the New York Post, showed in a hypothetical matchup between Zeldin and Hochul, he would receive 45.5 percent of the vote, slightly edging out the Democrat’s 44 percent. The rest said they were undecided.

“Over the last year, we have built an unparalleled movement, powered by thousands of volunteers, tens of thousands of grassroots donations and scores of New Yorkers who are waking up and all in to Save Our State,” said Zeldin told the Post. 

The survey asked 800 voters and was conducted by John McLaughlin & Associates. There was no margin of error given, but the Post mentioned that the results are within the margin.

“These numbers aren’t because of luck. They’re thanks to hard work, the right message, strategy and execution, and also taking absolutely nothing for granted,” Zeldin added.

The survey said that crime was their top issue in the state, while one in five of the voters said it was their top concern. There was also 17 percent who said taxes were their top concern.

This is a major plus for a Republican running in the state. Last year, the Democrats running the state raised the taxes and approved, what appears to be a very unpopular, no-cash bail law.

The respondents were also asked about President Joe Biden where only 43 percent approved of Biden, while 55 percent disapproved. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden received over 60 percent of the vote in the Empire State.

Only 44 percent of the respondents approved of Hochul, with 48 percent disapproved.

“As we continue to get our message out coming off of this month’s Republican and Conservative Party conventions and after airing television and radio ads statewide since the beginning of February,” Zeldin added. “It’s never been more clear that we have the issues on our side, we have the momentum of our side, and there’s a big red wave headed straight for New York in 2022.”

Although Zeldin received the nomination from the state Republican Party convention earlier this month, he still has to win the primary race. Andrew Giuliani, former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, and businessman Harry Wilson are also running the primary.

Jacob Bliss is a reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow him on Twitter.

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