Lee Zeldin, ex-congressman on Republican Jewish Coalition board, endorses Trump for president
Zeldin was an avid defender of Trump while in Congress but distanced himself during his failed bid for New York governor
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08: New York Rupublican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin gives a speech at his election night party on November 8, 2022 in New York City. Despite multiple outlets calling the race for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Zeldin did not concede in his speech. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
(JTA) — Lee Zeldin, the Jewish Republican who launched a close but failed bid for governor of New York, has endorsed Donald Trump for president.
“The GOP is filled with amazing talent to save our country from the failed policies of the Biden Admin,” Zeldin tweeted Monday afternoon. “Our nominee in 2024 will be the 45th & 47th POTUS, Donald Trump. Our economy will be stronger, our streets will be safer, & our lives will be freer. He has my full support!”
Zeldin represented his Long Island district in Congress from 2015 until earlier this year, after he left to run for governor. He was an avid defender of Trump while in Congress but distanced himself from the former president during his gubernatorial campaign, barely mentioning Trump, who is seen as toxic in New York. Zeldin’s one fundraiser with Trump was out of state.
Zeldin’s endorsement signals his return to the Trump camp at a time when Trump’s 2024 presidential bid appears to be gaining steam, despite the former president’s indictment on charges related to his alleged role in a payoff to an adult film star who claims they had a sexual encounter. Trump is outperforming his presumptive rivals in polls, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had been viewed as a strong competitor, is foundering.
DeSantis, who is headed to Israel for an official visit this week, drew some of the largest applause at last November’s Republican Jewish Coalition confab in Las Vegas. Trump spoke only via video message, and few in attendance seemed to be excited about his candidacy.
Zeldin, seen as a bright spot among Jewish Republicans because of his near-win in a solid-blue state, joined the board of the Republican Jewish Coalition shortly afterwards.
This article originally appeared on JTA.org.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
