New York City Dem endorses Republican Lee Zeldin instead of Gov. Kathy Hochul
New York City Councilman Robert Holden, a Democrat, has endorsed the Republican challenger to Gov. Kathy Hochul, citing the city's crime woes and the quality of life
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Democratic New York City councilman is crossing the political aisle and supporting a Republican challenger trying to unseat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Councilman Robert Holden, who represents parts of Queens, endorsed U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin for governor Monday, citing the city's crime woes and quality of life, the New York Post reported.
Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin (left) and Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul (right) vie for the governorship of New York. (Getty Images)
"Just look at the current condition of New York City and New York State: There’s mayhem in our streets, in our courts, in our jails," Holden said, according to the newspaper. "We’re headed in the wrong direction. The handwriting is on the wall. Lee Zeldin is the best option for voters."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NYC SHOPLIFTING SUSPECT PUNCHES 69-YEAR-OLD BODEGA WORKER IN ATTACK CAUGHT ON VIDEO
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday she would let a pair of COVID emergency orders expire at midnight after months of renewing them. A Democratic New York City councilman has endorsed Hochul's Republican challenger. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Holden and Zeldin were at City Hall in lower Manhattan joined by former Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind and former Bronx Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr., the Post reported.
Hochul, a Democrat, took office last year after then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo stepped down. Holden has criticized her for upholding COVID-19 emergency orders for months.
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On Monday, she said she would let the orders expire amid criticism from GOP opponents over her handling of the pandemic. Fox News has reached out to the governor.