Former New York Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind Endorses Lee Zeldin
Former New York State Assemblyman and “lifetime Democrat” Dov Hikind has thrown his support behind Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, who is campaigning for governor of New York, arguing that only Zeldin can “save our state” from the “disastrous” Democratic governor as well. like “rampant” crime and the “tank” economy.
Hikind, who served as Deputy Majority Leader in the Democratic-controlled state legislature, recently announced his support for Zeldin, a Republican congressman from Long Island, saying it was best to vote for “the disastrous Kathy Hochul”. He says he is “sick and tired of rampant crime and damaging Democrat economic policies.”
In the latest episode of his eponymous YouTube show, Hikind called on fellow New Yorkers to seize the “historic opportunity” next month to “undo the radical policies of the Democratic Party” in New York.
Despite being a lifelong Democrat, Hikind warned that without change, there would be “no future” for the people of New York state.
“I speak not as a lifelong Democrat, but as a concerned New Yorker who knows that unless we change our leadership, there is no future for our children, our families in this great state. “, did he declare.
Claiming Governor Hochul “has let us down on every level”, Hikind said she was “hiding” from crucial issues.
“You can’t even find her, she’s hiding,” he said. “Does anyone know where she is on the most important issues?”
The former Assemblyman then described local crime as “out of control”.
“You and I watch our television, we watch the newspapers, we see innocent people being victimized every day,” he said.
“Crime is out of control at levels we haven’t seen in 30, 40 years,” he added. “Out of control.”
Hikind also highlighted the tanking economy.
“The economy is collapsing and Governor Hochul, what are her policies, do you have any idea?” He asked. “She spent $20 million on this campaign. Do you have any idea what she has done or what she will do if elected governor?
“No idea, nobody has a clue. Nobody has a clue,” he added.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during her primary election night, Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in New York City. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Hikind, a renowned Jewish rights activist and founder of the advocacy group Americans Against Anti-Semitismargued that there was “no choice” but to back Zelden for governor of New York.
“If nothing else, Zeldin is committed to declaring a criminal emergency and suspending the bail laws that are so popular with felons, that put felons back on the streets, arrestees 10, 15, 20 times – victimizing New Yorkers, victimizing our neighbors, our friends, our communities,” he said.
“Zelden will take care of it from day one,” he added.
Hikind also praised Zeldin for his commitment to “removing the district attorney [Alvin] Bragg in Manhattan, who shows more compassion for criminals than for the innocent victims of crime.
“I mean that’s enough for me, I don’t need anything more,” he added. “You have DA Bragg, it’s a disaster – all the felons vote for him.”
Calling for “change”, Hikind claimed that Zeldin was the “answer” to the state’s problems.
“Things can’t go on the way they are because if they go on you and I both know there’s no future in our great state, and Lee Zeldin is the answer,” he said. -he declares.
Hikind concluded by suggesting that the issue goes beyond political affiliations.
“It’s not about being a Democrat, Republican, independent – it’s irrelevant,” he said. “We need to vote for the person who will make a difference, who will save our state – and that’s Lee Zeldin.”
A new poll from Tuesday revealed Zeldin is within ‘striking distance’ of Governor Kathy Hochul (D) in the race for New York governor, as crime is ranked as the number one issue for voters heading into Election Day.
In the final weeks of the gubernatorial race, Zeldin is only four points behind Hochul, who takes 50% of Republican Congressman Quinnipiac University’s 46%. survey shows, with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points.
This represents a major shift in favor of Zeldin, according to a Marist College poll published last week found the Republican trailing by ten percentage points. Similarly, a few days ago, election analysts from RealClearPolitics moved the race from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss-up”.
More importantly, Zeldin leads Hochul, 57% to 37%, among swing voters, and he leads voters in upstate New York with 52% to Hochul’s 44%.
In deeply liberal New York City, Hochul leads with 59% to Zeldin’s 37%.
In 2019, New York Democrats passed a so-called “No Bail” law. this eliminated bail for a number of criminal suspects charged with crimes like second degree manslaughter, aggravated driving assault, third degree assault, promoting a performance lewd sexual intercourse by a child and aggravated driving homicide, among others.
As a result, New York experienced a to skyrocket criminality wave where repeat offenders are continually arrested and released from police custody.
In September, crime continued to rise in New York — rising by more than 15 percent compared at the same time last year. More importantly, robberies increased by more than 20%, burglaries increased by nearly 23%, and robberies increased by approximately 16.4%.
While Zeldin has sworn to overturn the bail law, Hochul has continued defend its key provisions while telling New Yorkers to stop blaming the law for rising crime.
In August, Hikind struck down Governor Hochul for ‘trying to score political points with the progressive flank of the Democratic Party’ after using a Holocaust education event to attack Governor Ron DeSantis (right).
Follow Joshua Klein on Twitter @JoshuaKlein.
breitbart
