N.Y. GOP Convention: Rep. Lee Zeldin gets gubernatorial nomination, says of Gov. Kathy Hochul: "You are going to be fired next."
NEW YORK -- State Republicans have picked a Long Island congressman and a former NYPD deputy inspector to run for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.
During a raucous convention on Tuesday, the candidates vowed to make restoring public safety the centerpiece of their campaign.
As CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported, Rep. Lee Zeldin will face stiff primary competition from a number of well-known candidates.
The cheers were loud after Zeldin won the support of delegates to be their nominee.
"We want you to feel safe outside of your homes," Zeldin said.
Zeldin, who chose former NYPD deputy inspector Alison Esposito as his running mate, made it clear that his number one calling card as a candidate would be public safety, the Democrats' reluctance to do bail reform, and Gov. Kathy Hochul's reluctance to chastise Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for his liberal policies.
"Kathy Hochul says, well, lets cut Alvin Bragg some slack. No. What we need to do is cut some slack to the selfless, dedicated men and women risking their lives and even giving it up at times in defense of family and friends and strangers," Zeldin said.
And in a state where Democrats far outnumber Republicans, Zeldin also made it clear he would try and smear Hochul with the Andrew Cuomo scandal.
"No more Andrew Cuomo after multiple terms. Thank God, he is gone. And Kathy Hochul, his lieutenant, you're right behind Cuomo. You are going to be fired next," Zeldin said.
It was red meat partisanship, but Zeldin doesn't have the nomination sewn up. Former Westchester Country Executive Rob Astorino and Andrew Giuliani, who made a splash with dad, Rudy Giuliani, by his side, are among those expected to enter the primary.
"New Yorkers are fed up with the woke and progressive nonsense that brought us to this point," Astorino said.
Andrew Giuliani is hoping to ride in on the crime-fighting coattails of his dad by tagging Hochul with a new name.
"Crime Wave Kathy," he said.
Also running is is wealthy businessman Harry Wilson.
To get on the ballot, the challengers will have to collect 13,000 signatures. The primary in both parties is on June 28.