What does a moderate like Rep. John Katko of central New York have in common with a hardline conservative like Ohio's Rep. Jim Jordan? Answer: They're both backing Rep. Lee Zeldin's campaign for governor in New York.
Zeldin on Thursday rolled out a series of congressional endorsements from his fellow members of Congress as he seeks to win the Republican nomination in a crowded field that now includes Andrew Giuliani and former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
In addition to Katko and Jordan, Zeldin also announced he has the backing of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Rep. Chris Jacobs, Rep. Andrew Garbarino as well as the four Republican lawmakers who represent Long Island in the state Senate.
“It’s been an honor to serve our great state with my friend and colleague Lee Zeldin and fight with him to safeguard our homeland, lower taxes and secure a brighter future for all New Yorkers," Katko said in a statement. "He’s worked across the aisle for the betterment of his constituents and never backed down when it comes to fighting for them. His grit and unwavering determination is why he has my full support in his mission to fire Andrew Cuomo and bring our state back from the brink.”
The endorsements come as Giuliani and Astorino in recent days have also entered the race. Zeldin has racked up a series of endorsements from local Republican county chairs from around the state more than a year before any primary vote would be held for New York Republicans while also touting his early fundraising success.