Zeldin in Albany to discuss recent violence
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Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for governor in New York, stopped at Paesan’s Pizza in Albany on Friday. The visit came just one week after Police Chief Eric Hawkins teamed up with the owner to deliver pizzas in an effort to turn things around after recent violence in the area.
Zeldin is a University at Albany and Albany Law School graduate. He says he used to love to come to Paesan’s while in college.
However, the neighborhood the pizza shop is in has recently been plagued by crime. Some of it has been deadly.
Crime and criminal justice is part of Zeldin’s platform. He says when he becomes governor, the first thing he will do is declare a “crime emergency.” The candidate says he will suspend cashless bail. He would also suspend “Raise the Age,” and other laws he believes are not working.
He says New Yorkers have reached a breaking point, and that’s why they’re leaving the state in record numbers.
Congressman Lee Zeldin's stopped at Paesan's Pizza in Albany, just one week after Police Chief Eric Hawkins teamed up with the owner to deliver pizzas in an effort to turn things around.
Zeldin says he wants to force the Legislature to change laws he believes are not working and negatively impacting the quality of life in New York state.
“What we need to see is action. Whether you are the governor of the state of New York, you’re in the state Legislature, what are you going to do to keep the people of New York safe?” Zeldin said. “I don’t care how many inside baseball conversations someone might get asked about mechanics and excuses.”
Hochul’s Response
Gov. Hochul issued a statement after Zeldin’s appearance in Albany. “Governor Hochul is leading a comprehensive approach toward ending the gun violence epidemic, investing millions in gun violence prevention and victim assistance programs, including in Albany, convening regional gun violence listening sessions to hear directly from communities across the state, and working with law enforcement and leaders across New York on solutions to save lives, get guns off the streets, and make our communities safer,” the statement said.
The latest Marist poll has Hochul leading Zeldin, but Zeldin has been closing ground.
Election Day is Nov. 8.