A man tried to stab a Republican candidate for governor in New York, Congressman Lee Zeldin. It was caught on video, which you can see below.
The attack occurred at a campaign event in Perinton, New York, on July 21, 2022, according to Mytwintiers.com. Fox News reported that the suspect had a “a sharp object.”
The suspect was named as David Jakubonis, an Iraq war veteran, by NBC New York. You can read more about Jakubonis here.
Zeldin represents New York’s 1st District. His Twitter page reads, “Proudly representing New York’s 1st Congressional District. Member of House Financial Services & Foreign Affairs Committees. Lieutenant Colonel in Army Reserve.”
Photos sent in by a viewer following tonight’s attempted attack of Republican gubernatorial candidate @leezeldin and candidate for Lt. Gov. @EspositoforNY at a rally tonight in Monroe County.
“Congressman Zeldin, Alison Esposito and all members of Team Zeldin are safe following tonight’s attack,” Zeldin campaign spokesperson Katie Vincentz told Rochester First.
Statement from NYGOP Chair @NickLangworthy on the Attack Against Gubernatorial Nominee Congressman @leezeldin⬇️
“It’s not a coincidence that just hours earlier, @KathyHochul fanned the flames of hate by directing her supporters to his rally schedule. This is unacceptable…”
“Far more must be done to make New York safe again. This is very much getting out of hand in this state. Unfortunately, Congressman Zeldin is just the latest New Yorker whose life has been affected by the out of control crime and violence in New York. This needs to stop! Thankfully, we still have exceptional men and women in law enforcement answering the call to protect our streets.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Zeldin Was Speaking About Bail Reform
This is video of Lee Zeldin being attacked and almost stabbed on stage at a Fire Hochul event in Fairport, NY.
According to Mytwintiers.com, Zeldin was speaking about bail reform at the VFW when the unidentified man yelled and “wrestled with him a bit, and pulled a blade out.”
Video of @leezeldin’s attempted attack at a campaign rally in Monroe County earlier tonight.
Courtesy of Cody Crippen
AMVETS national Director Joe Chenelly stopped him, and he was taken into custody, the newspaper reported. The motive is not clear.
Zeldin’s biography says, “Congressman Lee Zeldin grew up in Suffolk County, New York, where he graduated from William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach. Congressman Zeldin graduated from the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY) and then Albany Law School, becoming New York’s youngest attorney at the time at the age of 23.”
Very unusual advisory from @KathyHochul ⬇️ just now, basically making fun of @leezeldin by mocking his campaign schedule this weekend and replacing his events with Democratic talking points about Trump.
Usually the targeted attacks come from @nydems and @JayJacobs28
Read his full bio here.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News that it is “aware of an incident at the speech of gubernatorial candidate Zeldin this evening. A suspect is in custody and Major Crimes is investigating. We will update as further information becomes available.”
New York’s Governor Condemned the Attack
Conservative Party Gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin was attracted at a campaign rally in Monroe County by a man who charged the stage with a dangerous weapon. Zeldin helped restrain the individual who was promptly arrested after a struggle. All are ok.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement on Twitter:
My team has informed me about the incident at Lee Zeldin’s campaign event tonight. Relieved to hear that Congressman Zeldin was not injured and that the suspect is in custody. I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest terms possible — it has no place in New York.
Councilwoman Ariola’s statement on the assassination attempt on gubernatorial candidate @leezeldin
Zeldin’s bio continues:
Congressman Zeldin serves on two Committees in the House of Representatives: Financial Services and Foreign Affairs, where he serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Additionally, Congressman Zeldin serves as co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus and founding member of the National Estuary Program Caucus and as one of two Jewish Republicans in Congress, also serves as co-chairman of the House Republican Israel Caucus, which has over 100 members, and has been a stalwart opponent of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, coleading a House passed resolution (H.Res.246) to combat it.