4 years after Zeldin’s near win, New York GOP still can’t break through

ALBANY, New York — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman wants to build on former Rep. Lee Zeldin’s Empire State success, but turning New York red is proving to be a steep climb.

Republicans came tantalizingly close to flipping the New York governor’s office four years ago, with Zeldin falling just 6 points short of unseating Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Today, the 70-year-old Blakeman is trailing the governor by double digits in public polls. His cozy relationship with President Donald Trump ...