November 6, 2022 8:34am
Updated: November 6, 2022 8:34am
Gov. Kathy Hochul was mocked after a photo showed only a handful of supporters came to her campaign event Friday afternoon as her Republican challenger Rep. Lee Zeldin draws huge crowds to his rallies.
“What was supposed to be a 5pm outdoor Chinatown rally (with a stage!) is now being shifted inside, and no sign of the governor yet,” wrote Jeff Coltin, political reporter at City & State New York, with a picture of about 20 people in line for the event.
“Looks packed!” replied one user.
The Hochul campaign claimed it was moving indoors because she was running late and “it’ll get dark” by the time she arrives, according to Coltin.
Among those joining Hochul at the rally was Dan Goldman, Democratic nominee to represent New York’s 10th Congressional House District.
“We are the party of ideas. We are not the party of fear and hate,” said Goldman to attendees.
Commentors on social media compared the turnout to Hochul’s Chinatown rally to recent events held by Zeldin, whose popularity has been swelling as the midterm elections approach.
The Long Island congressman rose from long-shot to running neck-and-neck with the incumbent governor. A poll as recent as August showed Zeldin down 24 points.
“Too late Kathy,” said a user that retweeted a photo of Zeldin addressing a largely Asian-American audience in Flushing earlier that day.
“Amazing rally today in Flushing! Their American dream requires government to reverse the attacks on their safety, wallets, freedom and education. #SaveOurState,” Zeldin said in the retweeted post.
Another Twitter user shared a video from the Flushing rally that showed a significantly larger and more boisterous crowd.
Other Zeldin events that have dwarfed Hochul’s include a Thursday night rally near Albany attended by about 1,000 people, according to the New York Post.
“While we’re here, Kathy Hochul is rallying with Hillary Clinton and [Vice President] Kamala Harris and the entire crowd would probably fit like over here,” Zeldin said while pointing to a smaller section at the event.
Photos of Zeldin’s rally with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last weekend also drew a massive crowd, according to photos.
