Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for governor, was in the Bronx Thursday to talk about rising crime rates and call for bail reform rollbacks.

Zeldin chose a post office in the Bronx where a violent robbery took place this week to highlight rising crime rates.

According to Zeldin, crime is treated too casually by Democrats for the average New Yorker.

“They are seeing all different types of crimes that are being committed on streets, and subways and places of employment where residents should be safe,” Zeldin said. “Law abiding New Yorkers want to be in charge of their streets.”

What You Need To Know

  • The Republican candidate for governor was in the Bronx Thursday to call for bail reform rollbacks

  • He went to a post office where a violent robbery took place this week to make his case

  • Zeldin is calling on Hochul to bring lawmakers back to Albany

  • Meanwhile, Hochul hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at JFK airport for a new terminal

According to NYPD statistics, crime rose 26% last month compared to the same period last year, although major categories like murder and shootings saw a decrease.

Zeldin has been calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to bring lawmakers back to Albany for a special legislative session to make changes to bail reform.

The Long Island Republican congressman also criticized governor Hochul for not going far enough when she rescinded some COVID-19 mask mandates this week.

They were eliminated on subways and mass transit systems, but remain in effect for health care facilities.

Zeldin argued Hochul should roll those back too.

“You have medical professionals who run hospitals. And they have a patient population to take care of. She doesn’t need to be telling these hospitals and other providers how to do their jobs,” Zeldin said in the Bronx. “They can do it better than she can herself.”

Hochul spent the morning at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, where ground was broken for a new terminal. On hand for the event was NBA legend Magic Johnson.

“I honor you for your lifetime of support and, since you left the court, what you’ve done for our nation. So, thank you Magic Johnson,” Hochul said to applause.

“And I’ll just say Larry Bird never came to a place like this and built an airport. I’m just saying,” Hochul added.

Hochul has already ruled out returning to Albany this year to address bail reform. But depending on how the election goes in November, there may still be no appetite to make changes when lawmakers return to Albany in January.

Zeldin also criticized Hochul for extending her executive powers to manage the pandemic month after month.