Washington (CNN) Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, announced Thursday he plans to run for New York governor next year, saying that "to save our state," embattled Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo "has got to go." New York is a heavily blue state, but Republicans are sensing an opening in 2022 with a potentially wounded candidate in Cuomo given several scandals surrounding him and his dipping favorability numbers among New Yorkers. Cuomo has not yet said whether he intends to seek a fourth term next year. He has led the state for a decade and New York hasn't had a Republican governor since Gov. Georgia Pataki left office in 2006.

Source: CNN April 08, 2021 13:18 UTC