GOP Congressman Zeldin announces bid for New York governor

Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin on Thursday announced his bid for New York governor, becoming the first high profile Republican to officially challenge embattled incumbent Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Zeldin, whose congressional district is in the eastern part of New York's Long Island, announced his bid on the Fox News Channel and Twitter.

Cuomo is seeking a fourth-term in the liberal-leaning state but has recently lost support from fellow Democrats – including some who would perhaps like to become governor – amid two scandals.

His administrations is facing questions about whether it under-reported the number of COVID-related death is New York nursing homes, in part as a result of an Cuomo policy early in the pandemic about allowing infected residents in such facilities, and allegations by as many as seven women about inappropriate behavior toward them.

The 41-year-old Zeldin was elected to Congress in 2014.