Federal, state, and local Republican representatives and officials were at the Springside Inn on Wednesday to decry what they see as an attack on law enforcement and corrections officers by Governor Kathy Hochul and state democrats.
Former Congressman Lee Zeldin, who ran an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign against Hochul in 2022, and Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22) did the majority of the speaking at the afternoon press conference. They called out reforms made under democratic leadership, such as the HALT Act, Raise the Age, and cashless bail, as creating a society that favors criminals over those who protect the public.
“We can no longer continue down this leftward trajectory that puts criminals’ rights above citizens’ rights, that puts illegal immigrants above the residents of New York State, and that makes it much more dangerous for law enforcement professionals, for correctional professionals to perform their job,” said Williams.
Other speakers included Assemblymen Jeff Gallahan (Assembly District 131), John Lemondes (Assembly District 126), and NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President Kenny Gold. Lemondes called out the governor directly, criticizing her leadership.
“Governor Hochul, this is a direct appeal to you to fix what’s happening in our prisons,” said Lemondes. “Inciting fear is not leadership and that’s what’s happening.”
On the federal level, Williams and Zeldin said the “pro-criminal” agenda of New York State Democrats will be taken to the national level unless more Republicans are elected to office.
Williams and Lemondes are both running to keep their seats this year against Democratic challengers State Senator John Mannion and former Auburn School Board President Ian Phillips.
You can view the full conference below.
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