Last night in his debate with unelected Governor Kathy Hochul, Rep. Lee Zeldin became the voice for New Yorkers who are fed up and desperate to save their state. The New York Post cover says it best:

Today’s cover: ‘Don’t know why that’s so important’: Hochul baffled when Zeldin talks jailing criminals during NY gov debate https://t.co/cQFUJYHb2z pic.twitter.com/SELK7UpinW

— New York Post (@nypost) October 26, 2022

Why are New Yorkers leaving the state in droves? It’s failed Democrat policies. Zeldin made the point passionately.

Libs are hellbent on ruining New York the way they’ve ruined California. Lee Zeldin can begin to stop the damage. https://t.co/dW7DVlU3D6

— Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) October 26, 2022

Zeldin destroyed Hochul on her obsession with guns.

Lee Zeldin blasts Kathy Hochul for thinking the only crimes are those committed with guns pic.twitter.com/4q2kRnNL3W

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) October 25, 2022

But this was the moment that could seal the deal for Zeldin.

Zeldin: “This governor still has not talked about locking people committing any crimes.”

Hochul: “I don’t know why that’s so important to you.” pic.twitter.com/bczrTZTn3E

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 25, 2022

Locking up criminals? “I don’t know why that’s so important to you.” This is a quote that will live in infamy, much like what Terry McAuliffe said about parental rights during his race with Glenn Youngkin last year.

After saying in the debate she has no regrets over her covid policies, she’s now asking New York parents to mask their kids again for respiratory illness.

Kathy Hochul wants New York parents to put their kids back in masks. She said this today. I’m telling you guys, this mask madness isn’t going away unless Democrats get destroyed in elections. pic.twitter.com/boMGw1lK1s

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 26, 2022

Let’s hope Lee Zeldin can save the Empire State the way Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki did a generation ago, because  Hochul has learned nothing.