So far, former President Donald Trump is 1-0 in his major election endorsements in 2022. JD Vance won the GOP primary for US Senate after receiving Trump’s seal of approval. Next up is Pennsylvania, and another US Senate primary. Trump has endorsed Dr. Oz in that GOP Primary.
What about NY State? Will Trump endorse a candidate in the GOP primary for Governor? Or is the huge democratic edge in enrollment too much for Trump to get involved? Or is the dislike for Trump so great in the Empire State that it would actually work against one of the four republicans on the ballot.
Three of the republican candidates for NY Governor are either running with Trump’s unofficial nod of approval, or have been connected to him in the past. The NY GOP’s endorsed candidate, Congressman Lee Zeldin, was one of Trump’s loudest supporters during his two impeachment trials. And Zeldin also voted against certifying the election results after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
During his travels across New York State in his campaign for Governor, Andrew Giuliani has been telling supporters how he often speaks with Trump, and how the two have played many rounds of golf together. Andrew’s father, Rudy Giuliani, remains close with the former President, and that connection could be a reason why Trump either doesn’t endorse in this race, or endorses a Giuliani for Governor.
Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was close to Trump during his first run for President in 2016. Astorino may have gotten too close to Trump for voters in Westchester, who did not re-elect Astorino after a heavy ad campaign by democrats to tie Astorino to Trump.
After his loss, Astorino tried to distance himself from Trump, but recently, Astorino’s political views align closely with Trump, and Astorino realizes that the base of the GOP in NY is pro-Trump.
The fourth candidate in the NY GOP Primary is Harry Wilson, who has no connection to Trump and is running as an outsider from the Trump movement.
Before he makes his endorsements, Trump likes to look at the polls to determine who he thinks has the best chance at winning in November. Another issue may be the fact that Trump is fond of all three republicans, Zeldin, Giuliani, and Astorino, and for that reason, may stay out of this election.
