Zeldin Forges Ahead in National Leadership Role

After nearly knocking off a Democrat for governor in a decidedly-blue New York, former congressman and gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin has cast himself in a leadership role with a new Political Action Committee and has already thrown his support behind Long Island’s Republican delegation in anticipation of a bruising election next year.

The Shirley resident had a lot to do with the Republicans taking over the house as his aggressive campaign against Kathy Hochul led to a “Mini Red Wave” that helped his running mates take seats long held by Democrats. Zeldin, who was considered early on as speaker of the house with the new Congress, wants to not only keep the slim majority, but build on the Republican successes.

“Grassroots Republicans across America are ready to taste victory once again, but we must shake the strategies that have cost us time and again,” Zeldin explained in announcing his new “Leadership America Needs” PAC, which is already raising money nationwide. “A red wave will never arrive based solely on what Republicans are against. To generate the next level of enthusiasm and momentum, Republicans need to do a great job articulating what we stand for. Voters need to much better understand the safer, freer, and more prosperous future they will get by electing a Republican.”

Zeldin said he was proud to announce his PAC’s endorsement of the five freshmen from New York who helped deliver the house majority and fire Nancy Pelosi as speaker: Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4), Nick LaLota (NY-1), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), and Brandon Williams (NY-22). “These Majority Makers already have a massive target on their backs from national Democrats who have pledged to spend $45 million to undo all our progress in New York last cycle,” Zeldin said in a fundraising appeal to his donor base.

He credited his strong gubernatorial showing in part to his appeal to Democrat voters disenfranchised by the policies of their leaders in Washington and Albany. Instead of Republicans making an “incredibly bad assumption” that voters will eventually come around on their own, “Republican candidates and campaigns need to instead take the initiative of going directly to these Democrat voters and earning their support,” Zeldin said. “To reach minority voters, Republicans have a huge opportunity to deepen inroads with various communities.”

The former state senator and Army veteran, noted that Liberal policies have created a major crime crisis, skyrocketed the cost of living, eroded educational systems, and forced millions to flee to states like Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. “These are the same voters the Democrat Party has taken for granted and ignored,” Zeldin said, adding, “Minority communities across the United States also want safe streets, economic prosperity, and a quality education for their children. Republicans are on the right side of these top issues, but we must start showing up more frequently in these communities and passionately communicating our ideas directly.”

In an exhaustive campaign, one in which he was attacked by a knife-wheeling assailant who was quickly released due to the new Progressive bail laws and had bullets fly past his home while his daughters were inside studying for school, Zeldin said he knew he was certain to lose Manhattan, The Bronx, and many other communities within the city, but still showed up repeatedly. “The same committed approach should also apply to Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other big cities across the country where residents are begging for change.”

Looking closer to home, Zeldin touted the candidacies of Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine for Suffolk County executive and Councilman Daniel Panico, both of Center Moriches, to replace him on the town board. “They are absolutely the superior candidates and I am willing to do anything in my power to help ensure that the voters will circle the bubble to elect them.”

Zeldin promised to take the lessons learned from his New York campaign and apply them nationally, “to promote strong leaders who will boldly confront the challenges of the future and support Republican candidates for elected office committed to advancing my efforts to grow the diverse coalition of first-time Republican voters we built in the 2022 cycle.” Specifically targeted by Zeldin’s outreach will be Gen Z and Millennial voters who have become one of the largest Democrat voting blocs. “We need to generate enthusiasm with younger voters in ways that will translate into votes at the ballot box.”

Zeldin won’t say where he may be working beyond the PAC, but said an announcement is in the works. “I will continue to be a positive force, to grow a party and set us up for success in the future,” he said, adding, “I believe that there will be a re-entry into government.”