Lee Zeldin Hints at Senate Run With New Political Action Committee

Zeldin has been a vocal critic of national Republican leadership since the 2022 midterms.

AP/Bebeto Matthews, file
Congressman Lee Zeldin at CBS2 TV, on June 13, 2022, at New York. AP/Bebeto Matthews, file

A one time gubernatorial candidate and former congressman of New York, Lee Zeldin, is launching a political action committee, in an early sign that he could be planning a run for Senate.

“I will continue doing everything in my power to save our state and country, which is why I am proud to announce the Leadership America Needs PAC,” Mr. Zeldin said. “The national 2022 midterm results were the product of political malpractice by the D.C. political class.”

Mr. Zeldin won national recognition from Republicans for posting better-than-usual results for a Republican running for governor. In 2022, he lost to Governor Hochul by about six points.

Mr. Zeldin has also been a vocal critic of national Republican leadership since the 2022 midterms, which many expected to be a blowout in favor of the GOP.

“Republican leaders must do more to effectively empower compelling voices, exceptionally articulate a resonating message, and actually deliver the Red Wave election America needs,” Mr. Zeldin said.

One of the states in which Republicans did see success was New York, a traditional Democratic stronghold. Many analysts have concluded that, alongside a miniature “red wave” in Florida, the Republican performance in New York delivered them their slim majority in the House of Representatives.

After his success in New York, some Republicans pushed Mr. Zeldin to pursue the Republican National Committee chairmanship, though he declined to run. Mr. Zeldin did, though, promise to remain active in the party and to attempt to share his strategy with other Republicans.

“We will take what we learned in New York, apply it across the country, and help deliver the leadership America needs to confront the challenges of the future,” Mr. Zeldin said.

The announcement of the new committee comes a few weeks after Mr. Zeldin refused to rule out a Senate run, which could mean he is planning to challenge Senator Gillibrand in 2024.

“She’s trying to create a sense of urgency with donors,” Mr. Zeldin told reporters at a February press conference. “They know it would be a pretty epic clash if I decided to do it.”

Ms. Gillibrand’s campaign team has been emailing supporters fundraising requests that suggested that Mr. Zeldin was planning a Senate bid and that it could be a “tough re-election fight.”

Mr. Zeldin has also said that the new committee will not be associated with his longtime campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, who has faced scrutiny for her association with an embattled new congressman, George Santos.


The New York Sun

© 2024 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use