Bigger Picture: Zeldin Launches Consultation Firm Comes Off Heels of Conservative Leadership PAC

The formation of Zeldin Strategies creates another addition to his resume immediately following his departure from Congress, and most notably after his narrow loss in the historically-thin 2022 New York gubernatorial election.

The firm, of which Zeldin serves as CEO, released this statement Monday, March 21: “‘Zeldin sent shockwaves across the nation after nearly winning the New York Gubernatorial campaign as a Republican. Laser focused on issues important to New Yorkers, ranging from securing our streets and ending cashless bail, to supporting school choice and parental rights in education, and combating hate crimes and antisemitism, Congressman Zeldin received more votes than any Republican statewide since Nelson Rockefeller 52 years earlier. His efforts led to down ballot success in key Congressional races that flipped the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives from Democrat to Republican.’”

Zeldin will certainly look to not only leverage his experience in the Army, as a lawyer, a New York State Senator, and a five-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, but also his position at the epicenter of pivotal change in a politically tumultuous era.

His fierce campaign saw near-daily forays into rigidly-blue New York City, where most pundits and conventional wisdom stated he would lose handily, as well as big national names who came to stump for him, including Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (I-HI).

Despite losing the election by six points to incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul (D), Zeldin received the highest vote percentage for a Republican nominee since George Pataki in 2002, as well as the highest raw vote total for a Republican nominee since Nelson Rockefeller in 1970.

Zeldin won 49 of the state’s 62 counties and all 62 counties saw a rightward shift in relation to the 2020 results.

Not only did Zeldin come within striking distance of a governor’s seat that some pundits did not recognize as fully in play, but his coattails extended long enough to make the tectonic shift in New York more apparent.

The attorney general (AG) race was decided by a 10-point margin, in which incumbent Letitia James (D) ultimately prevailed, but won the same 13 counties Hochul did. This was the closest AG race since 2010, with no Republican having won this seat since Dennis Vacco in 1994.

Republicans were also predicted by many to have a “red wave” night, with many expecting copious gains in the House of Representatives. Republicans reciprocated the thin majority Democrats held going into the night, but five competitive New York races ended up being instrumental to the change of power.

New York’s 17th Congressional District ended up being the closest of the five, and fourth-closest nationally, with Mike Lawler (R) prevailing by just 0.64% and flipping the seat from DCCC Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney (D). Brandon Williams (R) held the 22nd District by a 0.98% margin. Marc Molinaro flipped the 19th District by 1.56%.

On Long Island, Anthony D’Esposito (R) flipped the 4th District by 3.59%, a stunning margin for a seat that’s roughly ten points to the left of the nation overall. Now-disgraced Congressman George Santos (R) flipped the North Shore-based Queens-Nassau 3rd District by 7.53%.

Had Republicans lost these five districts, Democrats would have held the House by the absolute minimum margin of 218 seats. The Presidential party has not held the House in a freshman President’s midterm since 2002.

Appropriately, Lee Zeldin is single handedly credited with flipping the House to the Republicans, as without his powerful coattails and a desperate taste for change in New York, these five Republicans would have likely lost these races.

Because of this, all eyes are on the former Congressman’s next professional steps, as few politicians are regarded as capable of facilitating major, fundamental change to some of the nation’s most politically significant states.

In a statement released, Zeldin said: “Throughout my career, I have continuously pursued my passion for public service, in the military, in elected office, and elsewhere. While continuing to do my part to contribute to my community and country, I look forward to the professional opportunity Zeldin Strategies offers to employ an exceptional private sector team, and help individual and corporate clients expand, prosper, and maximize their full potential.’”