The decision of mr. Zeldin to run for governor, which he first announced on Fox News, is expected to turn his district into an open-seat home game, pending redistribution decisions.
He will be one of at least three declared or potential Republican candidates interested in running for governor who will appear in Albany, NY on April 19 to meet with Republican provincial presidents to run for office.
Others include Rob Astorino, the party’s nominee for governor in 2014, and Andrew Giuliani, the son of Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, and Trump’s personal lawyer.
“He’s not a candidate who decided to run weeks ago, it’s something that has been thought through,” Councilor Joseph Borelli, a Republican on Staten Island, said of Mr. Zeldin said.
Mr Borelli said he was Zeldin would support, but he also warmly welcomed Mr. Giuliani spoke.
“The only thing that changed was a few months ago, when he first thought about it, the hope that Andrew Cuomo would not be on the ballot,” he said of Mr. Zeldin said. “The hope now is that the Democrats will be put up with the sandbag of Andrew Cuomo.”
Cuomo’s Democratic rivals have been pondering for months on how to ensure he is not their candidate, although he has indicated he wants to run again.
Should he resign or not be re-elected, New York Attorney General Letitia James has been hailed as the most formidable potential rival, and some prominent Democrats believe she can clear the field effectively.
But a series of other names were also discussed. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will accept the power as Mr. Cuomo is relieved of his duties and is expected to serve as governor for a full term next year, should the scenario unfold.