Rep. Lee Zeldin announces run for New York governor: ‘Cuomo’s gotta go!’

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) announced Thursday he’s running for governor of New York in 2022 against current Governor Andrew Cuomo, saying it’s time for Cuomo to “immediately exit stage left.”

Zeldin, a longtime GOP congressman and friend of the Trump family, will be the first Republican to launch a campaign against three-term Gov. Cuomo in 2022.

“I’ll bring the kind of relentless, fighting spirit towards helping to save our state that Cuomo reserves for multi-million dollar self-congratulatory book deals, cover-ups, abuse & self-dealing,” Zeldin said Thursday.

Zeldin has represented New York’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015. Previously, he was an officer in the United States Army Reserve.

“We are going to win this race,” Zeldin said on Fox & Friends Thursday. “I’m all in, we’re all in. Losing is not an option and we have to turn things around.”

“Everyone has come to the conclusion, whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, anywhere in between, that this guy has been there too long and it’s time to go,” Zeldin said about the current NY governor.

“This is the first time in my entire life that we have had one-party Democratic rule in New York City, Albany and D.C. And they’re all doing their part to destroy their levels of government,” Zeldin said.

In a series of tweets announcing his candidacy, Zeldin slammed the one-party rule in New York.

“With 1-party Dem rule in NYC & Albany, the light that was a beacon of what America can be has gone dark. The NY once a magnet for the world’s best & brightest is now forcing its own to leave under the weight of crushing taxes, lost jobs, suffocating regulations, & rising crime.”

“At the helm of NY’s downfall is Andrew Cuomo, whose deadly nursing home order & cover-up is part of a long line of scandals, lies, & harassment,” Zeldin continued. “Cuomo has abused the power & trust granted to him & it’s time for him to immediately exit stage left.”

“I’m ready to go all in on this mission and bring New York back from the brink and return it to glory. For many, this feels like a last stand to save our state.”

Lawmakers across the board have called for Cuomo to resign after several women accused the governor of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. Cuomo has denied the accusations and is currently under investigation by the New York Attorney General’s Office.

Cuomo is also under investigation for his administration’s handling of data about Covid-19 nursing home deaths.

Zeldin’s announcement comes one day after Andrew Giuliani — son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani — said he was considering a run for governor as a Republican.

Follow Annaliese Levy on Twitter @AnnalieseLevy