A man attempted to stab Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for governor of New York, as he delivered a campaign speech near Rochester on Thursday night, according to his campaign and video from the event.
Zeldin, a 42-year-old lawmaker who represents a Long Island district, grabbed the assailant’s wrist, and others present restrained the man before authorities took him into custody, said Katie Vincentz, a spokeswoman for the candidate.
“Congressman Zeldin went back on stage to finish his remarks and thank the law enforcement officers who responded to the scene,” Vincentz wrote on Twitter.
Nick Langworthy, chairman of the New York GOP, said in a statement that the attack in Fairport could “have ended much worse.”
“Thanks to the swift action of several brave eventgoers, the perpetrator was subdued,” he said in the statement.
WHEC-TV reported that audience members held the disguntled attacker with zip ties drawn from campaign posters, and that the Monroe County Sheriff’s office arrested him.
Video published by the station showed a man holding a sharp object as he stood near Zeldin and repeatedly said, “You’re done.” In the video, a group pulls the man — and Zeldin — to the ground.
Gov. Hochul, the Democrat who is running to retain her seat, said she was aware of the attack.
“Relieved to hear that Congressman Zeldin was not injured and that the suspect is in custody,” she said on Twitter. “I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest terms possible — it has no place in New York.”
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