Politics & Government

Congressional Primary for 1st District Seat Pits 2 Conservatives Head to Head

Republicans Lee Zeldin and George Demos will face off on June 24 for the chance to run against six-term incumbent Democrat Tim Bishop.

The congressional primary for Long Island’s First District, set for Tuesday, June 24, will pit Republicans Lee Zeldin and George Demos against each other in a battle to see who is more Conservative.

New York State Senator Zeldin, 34, from Shirley, was named one of ten “Rising  Conservative Stars” by the American Conservative Union. Zeldin is backed by state and local GOP and Conservative Party leaders, and is endorsed by 60 local officials, national Republicans like John McCain and Rick Santorum and ex-Senator Alfonse D’Amato. 

His opponent, GOP primary candidate for U.S. Congressman George Demos, 37, grew up in Manhattan and was described by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as the “true conservative” in the race. Former Governor George Pataki, a Republican, conceded: “George [Demos] is a conservative. Period.”

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Zeldin, a lawyer and Army Reserve Major and Demos, a former Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer, have similar policies, though that hasn’t discouraged them from engaging in nasty smear tactics against each other. Both want to repeal Obamacare, oppose tax increases, and agree that Long Island needs economic improvement badly.

Zeldin and Demos are running for a chance to face six-term incumbent Democrat Tim Bishop of Southampton on November 4. The First Congressional District includes the East End, Brookhaven Town and part of Smithtown.

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