New York Republicans are turning to former Newsmax host and one-time U.S. Senate candidate Joe Pinion to be the GOP's media surrogate, the state committee on Friday announced. 

Pinion ran against Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last year. The party pointed to Pinion carrying 46 of 62 counties against Schumer, who ultimately won by 14 percentage points last year. 

“We are thrilled to have Joe onboard,” said NYGOP Executive Director Jason Weingartner. “He has been a powerful voice for our Party and values, and I look forward to working with Joe this cycle.”

Pinion is young and TV savy, and though he lost to Schumer, Republicans gave him high marks for a debate performance with Schumer on Spectrum News 1 and NY1.

“New Yorkers are fed up with uniparty Democrat rule and are demanding safe streets, more jobs and better schools,” Pinion said. “Together, the NYGOP will take the fight to Democrats in every corner of the state.”