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Representative Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for governor of New York, was allegedly attacked at a campaign stop in Fairport, New York.
The man had some sort of blade for his weapon.
Zeldin was giving a speech at the VFW on Macedonia Center Road, when a man got up on the stage with Zeldin, started to yell, and then “wrestled with him a bit, and pulled a blade out.”
It is reported that the attacker was stopped by AMVETS national Director Joe Chenelly.
When the attacker climbed on stage, he approached Zeldin, and then Zeldin grabbed the attacker by the wrist before others quickly came to assist him.
Below is a video from the event.
Pictures from the event show a self-defense-type weapon was used.
Zeldin “was not seriously injured” and they “did not have any details on the attacker.”
Zeldin campaign spokesperson Katie Vincentz said this attack points to the “out of control crime and violence in New York.”
A statement read:
Congressman Zeldin, Alison Esposito, and all members of Team Zeldin are safe following tonight’s attack. Far more must be done to make New York safe again. This is very much getting out of hand in this state. Unfortunately, Congressman Zeldin is just the latest New Yorker whose life has been affected by the out-of-control crime and violence in New York. This needs to stop! Thankfully, we still have exceptional men and women in law enforcement answering the call to protect our streets.
Breitbart reported:
New York Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy praised the attendees who stood up, but noted that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) directed her supporters to Zeldin’s rally hours before the event.
“Tonight, Congressman Zeldin was targeted in a violent attack at a campaign rally stop in Monroe County. Thanks to the swift action of several brave eventgoers, the perpetrator was subdued. Congressman Zeldin and all of the attendees are safe, but this could have ended much worse. It’s not a coincidence that just hours earlier, Kathy Hochul fanned the flames of hate by directing her supporters to his rally schedule. This is unacceptable conduct for anyone, let alone a sitting governor. It’s not enough to condemn the attack, she must apologize and tone down her hateful rhetoric immediately.”
GOP strategist Arthur Schwartz posted Hochul’s press release sent hours before the attack that included a list of Zeldin’s upcoming campaign stops.
“You sent your supporters after him. And they came,” Schwartz tweeted.
Hochul tweeted out, “My team has informed me about the incident at Lee Zeldin’s campaign event tonight. Relieved to hear that Congressman Zeldin was not injured and that the suspect is in custody. I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest terms possible — it has no place in New York.”
