UNIONDALE, LONG ISLAND — Even in a losing race for New York governor, Rep. Lee Zeldin’s coattails proved nearly as lengthy as his political homebase of Long Island.

The Republican congressman, who has represented a Southampton-area House district for nearly eight years, on Nov. 8 came up short in his statewide bid against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. But Zeldin only lost 52.9%-47.1%, a remarkably good showing in a state where deep blue nature of New York City, with more than 8 million people residents in a New York state population of just over 20 million, makes Democratic candidates prohibitive favorites in any statewide race.