Rep. Lee Zeldin, candidate for governor of New York, attacked at campaign stop

FAIRPORT, N.Y. — U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate in New York’s gubernatorial race, was unhurt after he was attacked during a campaign event southeast of Rochester on Thursday.

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Zeldin, 42, a Republican who has represented New York’s 1st congressional district in eastern Long Island since 2015, was attacked at an event in Fairport, WROC-TV reported.

According to witnesses, Zeldin was giving a speech about bail reform at the Perinton VFW Post 8495 when a man climbed on the stage and began yelling, according to the television station.

The man “wrestled” with Zeldin for a moment before pulling out a knife, WROC reported.

A video of the event posted on Twitter showed the man appearing to grab Zeldin’s arm and the two fell to the ground, The Associated Press reported.

After a brief tussle, some members of the audience disarmed the man and subdued him with zip-ties pulled from campaign posters, WHEC-TV reported.

AMVETS National Director Joe Chenelly tackled and restrained the man, who was an Iraq war veteran, along with the assistance of other bystanders at the scene, according to WROC.

“Thanks to the swift action of several brave eventgoers, the perpetrator was subdued,” New York GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy said in a statement.

Deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrived and detained the man, according to the television station.

Zedlin went back on the stage and resumed his speech, WROC reported.

“Congressman Zeldin, Alison Esposito, and all members of Team Zeldin are safe following tonight’s attack,” Zeldin campaign spokesperson Katie Vincentz said in a statement later Thursday. “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.”

No charges have been filed at this point, according to WHEC.

Zeldin was in the city as part of his “Unite to Fire Hochul” bus tour stop, according to the television station. He is attempting to unseat Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat.

Chenelly told WROC that he plans to get the alleged attacker the help he needs.

“When he said he served in Iraq, I got down hands on my knees and said, ‘You know, we’re going to get through whatever you’ve done here tonight,’ and told him, ‘You’re going to get better and focus on that,’ and said, ‘You can contact me after this thing is done,’” Chenelly told the television station. “We’ll help you find the services you need. I was told not to engage with him right now. I think it’s very important we obviously have a mental health crisis nationwide -- not just with our veterans but we especially have it with our veterans.”

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