Lee Zeldin Endorses Trump for 2024 Presidential Bid

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin has thrown his support behind former President Donald Trump in his bid to become the GOP’s 2024 presidential candidate. Zeldin, who lost to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the state’s 2022 gubernatorial election, believes that Trump is the only candidate who can save America from the failed policies of the Biden administration.

“Our nominee in 2024 will be the 45th & 47th POTUS, Donald Trump,” Zeldin announced on Twitter on April 24. “Our economy will be stronger, our streets will be safer, & our lives will be freer. He has my full support!”

Trump was quick to respond, taking to his Truth Social account to express his gratitude for Zeldin’s endorsement. “He was a great Congressman, and ran an incredible Campaign for Governor of New York,” Trump wrote. “I very much appreciate Lee’s support, and look forward to working with him long into the future. Thank you Lee!”

Zeldin, who served as a House lawmaker representing eastern Long Island since 2015, ran as a Republican candidate in New York’s gubernatorial race last year. Although he picked up more than 2.7 million votes, or 46.7 percent, he ultimately lost to incumbent Hochul by a margin of nearly 380,000 votes.

During his campaign, Zeldin promised to fire Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as part of his “law and order” plans to reduce crime in New York. Like many Republicans, Zeldin has criticized Bragg for bringing criminal charges against Trump.

“Alvin Bragg is most eager and willing to bring down our justice system and rip our country further apart to take down Donald Trump at any cost,” Zeldin tweeted on April 3. “At the end of the day though, Bragg will only have succeeded in bringing down the justice system and ripping our country further apart.”

Trump was recently charged with 34 accounts of falsifying business records related to non-disclosure payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and stated that Bragg has “no case” against him.

Despite the charges, Trump remains the Republican front-runner in the 2024 race, according to several polls. In fact, a new Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll (pdf) shows that Trump leads Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis 55 percent to 20 percent in a potential 2024 GOP presidential primary. Former Vice President Mike Pence finished in third place with seven percent, followed by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley with four percent and biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy with two percent.

Trump was also deemed to have a bigger chance of defeating President Joe Biden in the 2024 race. According to the poll, Trump got 45 percent of support, while Biden received 40 percent in a hypothetical two-way race.

DeSantis, on the other hand, obtained 43 percent of support, with Biden again on 40 percent.

Trump also led other GOP presidential candidates in South Carolina. According to a National Public Affairs poll, Trump edged out DeSantis 43 percent to 21 percent. Haley finished third with 19 percent, followed by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) with seven percent.

With the support of Zeldin and 10 senators, as well as 47 House lawmakers, Trump’s 2024 bid is looking stronger than ever. Will he secure the nomination and become the 45th and 47th POTUS? Only time will tell.