Lee Zeldin facing increased competition in Governor race

Lee Zeldin facing increased competition in Governor race

FILE — In this May 22, 2018 file photo, Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., speaks during a news conference, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Zeldin announced his candidacy for governor of New York on Thursday, April 8, 2021, with an attack on incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo, the subject of investigations over sexual harassment allegations and COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Former Westcester County executive Rob Astorino says he’ll run for governor in 2022 in what would be his second bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Astorino is a Republican former radio industry professional and two-term Westchester County executive. He promised to release an agenda to address New York’s steep job loss stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic on top of government corruption and the state’s high taxes and cost of living. Astorino was the Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2014 and lost to Cuomo by 54% to 40%. Rep. Lee Zeldin of Long Island announced last month that he is seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

Photo: FILE — In this May 22, 2018 file photo, Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., speaks during a news conference, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Zeldin announced his candidacy for governor of New York on Thursday, April 8, 2021, with an attack on incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo, the subject of investigations over sexual harassment allegations and COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)