New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Lee Zeldin is calling for reforms to that state’s cashless bail policy and stronger crime-fighting policies after a man attempted to stab him during a campaign event.
Zeldin, a House member who has represented a Long Island-based district since 2015, was uninjured in Thursday’s attack near Rochester, New York.
Zeldin’s attacker pulled a blade out while the candidate was giving a speech on bail reform. During a press conference Friday, the New York Republican blamed the policy for his assailant going free after being charged with a felony. The candidate added he believes lenient judges also need to take a harder position to ensure repeat offenders of violent crimes aren’t let back on the streets.
“I thought it was important to actually get back up on the stage last night as soon as sheriffs detained the attacker. I went to go finish the speech,” he said. “I think it’s important for us to always stand up for what we believe in and not to be intimidated.”
The congressman noted there have been multiple instances of people being charged, released, and committing offenses again shortly after. He pointed to a recent instance of a gunman who shot and killed a Goldman Sachs employee being let go and then killing someone on the subway.
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“I believe that when repealing cashless bail, there should also be a certain minimum set. We’re certain cases, certain suspects and defendants, have to remain behind bars. There’s a certain threshold where the judge doesn’t have discretion not because they can put the person back out on the streets,” Zeldin said.
He also took aim at Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, arguing that she has fumbled in addressing New York’s escalation in crime and slammed the push from progressives to defund the police.
“We need a governor right now to be advocating for this because it’s the right thing to do for public safety, for security, for rising crime, to back the blue defending our correctional officers who are now being assaulted because of the implementation of the Halt Act, for our victim’s families where they’re having to read about parole boards releasing cop killers and murderers and rapists without the victim and victim’s family being able to weigh in with their position,” Zeldin said. “All of this is being met right now with silence by the governor.”
Politicians on both sides of the aisle have condemned Zeldin’s attacker, with President Joe Biden releasing a statement on the matter Friday.
“I condemn the attack on Congressman Zeldin in the strongest terms. As I’ve said before, violence has absolutely no place in our society or our politics,” Biden said. “I am especially grateful for the courage of those who immediately intervened and that he is unharmed and was able to continue his speech. I also want to thank the law enforcement officers who quickly took action and are investigating this attack that defies our fundamental democratic values.”
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House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) rebuked instances of political violence, saying that “violence has no place in our politics.”
“I join in unequivocally condemning the attack on Congressman Lee Zeldin that occurred in New York yesterday,” he tweeted. “Violence has no place in our politics and I am glad to hear Rep. Zeldin was not seriously injured.”
And House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said he was glad Zeldin was safe before criticizing the Democrats’ policy positions on crime.
“A man tried to assassinate @RepLeeZeldin with a knife. Thankfully, Lee is safe, but his attacker is already released back on the streets,” he tweeted.
“Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies are outrageous, but since Lee is a Republican, the media will largely ignore the attack.”
