Donald Trump took some hits from a New York prosecutor, judge and jury last week. But could the former president steal from Democrats a massive prize on Election Night in November? Could Trump turn the state of New York red?
New York has long been considered a lock for Democrats, and Trump lost to Joe Biden by 23 points in 2020. In fact, the Empire State hasn't voted Republican since going back-to-back for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984. The only other times the state voted Republican were for Thomas Dewey, Dwight Eisenhower (twice) and Richard Nixon.
However, as speculation builds on who Trump will pick as a running mate, a New York City radio show host has an idea that he believes Trump may consider – Lee Zeldin (pictured above), the GOP loser in New York's governor's race in 2021.
"Donald Trump lost New York by 23% – but one year later, just one year to the day, Lee Zeldin lost the race for governor by about 3%. It was a really tight race that came down to basically, had he flipped one borough in the New York City area beside Staten Island, if he had been able to add, say, a Bronx to that total, he probably would have won," Kevin McCullough explained on American Family Radio Monday.
"And if you look at the maps between the counties that Trump lost and the counties when Zeldin won, Zeldin flipped many of the counties that Trump had difficulty carrying [in 2020]," he added.
What about those key voting blocs?
Trump's solid polling with Latino voters is another key factor, McCullough told show host Jenna Ellis. February NBC News polling showed Trump and Biden nearly tied among Latino voters with Trump at 42% and Biden at 41%.
The Biden campaign told NBC New it has a game plan to keep black and Latino voters, demographics with which many see Trump making great inroads. Perhaps as part of that plan, there's been a real effort by Biden's campaign to translate their aging candidate's ads into Spanish, to get him in front of minority-owned news organizations, and into local places like bingo halls and farmer's markets.
McCullough argued Trump doesn't need a ticket mate to balance out. "… Trump is doing a good job of expanding his base with African-Americans, Latinos, and other groups all on his own. He's increasing in those demographics," he pointed out.
Biden led Trump by 23 points in New York in 2020. Three weeks ago, that lead in polling was nine points, McCullough said. After the verdict it was seven points.
"It's tighter than anyone would have ever forecasted in New York State," he noted.
A compelling argument for Zeldin
But the NYC-based broadcaster explained Zeldin would bring something different to the ticket. The former U.S. congressman, he said, possesses not only a zip code that could earn votes for Trump, but also an image as well – all of which McCullough said could be a big help for Trump even if they don't carry the state.
"He's clean cut, he's a [Army] reservist, he's married to a Latina, he speaks fluent Spanish. Could Lee Zeldin with a popular message narrow the gap enough to make them have to spend a lot of money in the New York media market and therefore drain funds from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and all the rest? I think it would be an interesting strategy – and it certainly sounds like something Donald Trump would try to do," McCullough said.
And if Zeldin could do the unthinkable and help Trump win New York?
"It would radically change the shape of the entire race in ways the Democrats would not be ready to respond to," McCullough answered. "You can't cheat enough to overcome the loss of New York in the Electoral College."
