The GOP strategy to take back Albany goes through NYC

It’s been a very long time since a Republican received the state’s high workplace.

In 2002, George Pataki cruised to a 3rd time period victory. And the GOP hasn’t been profitable since.

Long Island Representative Lee Zeldin hopes to change that.

What is evident is that he’s specializing in an space that Republican candidates have dismissed previously.

We checked out his public occasions for the month of October, and whereas some had been unfold throughout the state, greater than half had been throughout the 5 boroughs — a give attention to New York City that he says will assist him clinch victory.

“If we get less than 30% of the vote in New York City, we can’t win,” Zeldin stated this week. “If we get 35% or more within New York City, we’re very unlikely to lose this race.”

That stated, the Democratic benefit in voter registration has solely elevated previously 20 years. In 2002, when Pataki was governor, there have been about 3.1 million Republicans and 5.3 million Democrats. New registration numbers present Republicans dropping voters whereas Democrats gained greater than one million.

“He has to really generate a significant amount of turnout upstate and let’s say Suffolk County to counter any vote that comes out of New York City,” stated Republican Councilman Joseph Borelli, who can also be a co-chairman of the Zeldin marketing campaign.

Republicans say that even with fewer voters, depressed Democratic turnout and Zeldin’s seize of independents may very well be a successful strategy this 12 months.

“For a Republican to win statewide, we need what we call the Pataki model, which is you have to win upstate, you have to win mostly the suburbs, you can break even in Westchester County, and win Long Island and get about 30 to 35% outside of New York City,” stated Jessica Proud, a Republican strategist.

In 2002, Pataki nearly lined the complete state, aside from 4 of the 5 municipalities.

No Republican has finished that since.

For instance, in 2014, Andrew Cuomo received town, a lot of the suburbs, and a handful of upstate counties.

The numbers this 12 months in some suburban counties could favor Zelda. Democrats even concede that Zeldin is anticipated to do nicely on Long Island, his dwelling base.

The query stays whether or not the upstate turnout will favor Republicans as a lot because it has previously, on condition that the governor is from Buffalo.