During a rally on Thursday night, a man attempted to knife New York’s Republican candidate for governor, Rep. Lee Zeldin.
The man was hauled away after Zeldin had done speaking.
At a campaign visit in Perinton, close to Rochester, the event took place.
According to eyewitnesses, Zeldin was discussing bail reform when a guy stormed the platform and shouted at him. Following a scuffle, the guy produced a knife.
AMVETS national Director Joe Chenelly and other audience members who stepped in to assist managed to control him.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detained the man after making an arrest.
On social media, pictures from the brawl showed the spectators climbing onto the stage.
Governor Kathy Hochul, Zeldin’s Democratic challenger, issued a statement denouncing the event. “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.”
Zeldin’s spokesman also issued a statement, “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.”
