WATCH: Lee Zeldin eyes Senate run, especially if AOC jumps in
Heather Hamilton
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Former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) said he would consider a United States Senate run — if Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) declares her candidacy.
While reacting to reports of Ocasio-Cortez teasing aspirations to seek a higher political office, Zeldin said she would be “a very strong candidate against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY),” who is seeking reelection.
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“I think that she can win a Democratic primary,” Zeldin said of Ocasio-Cortez while speaking with Fox and Friends. “I think that she would have a strong ground game. She would be able to raise a lot of money. A lot of the Democratic Party primary base is in New York City, where AOC’s district is located. Kirsten Gillibrand is not from New York City.”
Zeldin noted, however, that he sees Ocasio-Cortez struggling in a general election.
“If AOC gets into this race, while I say she will be a more competitive Democratic Party primary candidate, if she was to win a primary, she is a more deeply flawed general election opponent,” Zeldin said. “So the race will be shifting in the Republicans’ favor if AOC gets into the race.”
The former congressman said discussion over a possible Senate run is increasing, noting that Gillibrand continues to mention his name.
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Yet Zeldin said there is no timeline for when a decision would be made.
“It is something that potentially we might look at, but at this point, we will have to see how the race shapes up.”