RealClearPolitics moves NY governor’s race to toss-up

The race between New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Rep. Lee Zeldin, is now a toss-up, according to RealClearPolitics.

The respected political news site and polling aggregator had long listed the race as “lean Democrat,” reports the New York Post.

Zeldin celebrated the change on Twitter on Saturday afternoon.  

“Our race was just moved to TOSS UP by RealClearPolitics!,” the jubilant candidate posted.

“We have just 24 days to go until we FIRE Kathy Hochul and save our state. It’s not too late for Hochul to come out of hiding & do multiple debates with me across New York, starting immediately!” Zeldin added, referring to how the Democrat has yet to settle on a date to meet him.

RealClearPolitics’ polling average currently shows Hochul up by 5.3% – a stunning comeback for Zeldin, who had been down by as much as 24 points just a couple months prior.

An independent poll released Friday found a similar gap – Hochul with 50% support from likely voters compared to 44% for Zeldin – as the Republican homed in on rising crime and the economy.

“It’s a very competitive race,” said Doug Schoen of Schoen Cooperman Research, who ran the poll. He has served as a pollster for former President Bill Clinton and three-term ex-Mayor Mike Bloomberg, notes the New York Post.

Later on Friday, the Long Island congressman promised to preserve the state’s abortion rights laws if election. Hochul and state Democrats have hammered at Zeldin’s pro-life position with ads suggesting he will take away a woman’s right to choose if he wins in next month’s midterm elections.

The good news is a welcome relief for Zeldin, whose week began with a shooting outside his home while his daughters were inside. He told Fox News that the incident brought the Big Apple’s crime issues “extremely close to home.”