Rep. Lee Zeldin attacked in ads by national Democrats

National Democrats launched a digital and radio ad blitz Friday against Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), who was the lone vote from New York and New Jersey opposing $15.25 billion in emergency relief for victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began airing more than 100 radio ads on WALK and Long Island News Radio as well as digital ads on Instagram and Facebook. The spots will run for a week while Zeldin is home on a congressional recess.

DCCC officials called the expenditure a “significant five-figure ad blitz,” but would not be more specific.

Zeldin was one of 90 GOP lawmakers who voted against the hurricane funding because it was tied to a three-month extension to the debt ceiling in a deal worked out between President Donald Trump and Democrats.

Zeldin criticized the measure as “governing from crisis to crisis.”

The Democratic ads assert that Zeldin had said previously that he would support aid.

“For Representative Zeldin to put his right-wing ideology ahead of hurricane victims is truly disturbing,” said DCCC spokesman Evan Lukaske. “Long Islanders know what a devastating hurricane does to homes, businesses and schools. The next time a hurricane slams Long Island, how can anyone trust Zeldin to do the right thing?”

Zeldin’s spokeswoman Jennifer DiSienna labeled the Democrats’ attack an “intentionally misleading and despicable political advertisement.”

She said Zeldin voted for relief aid. But later, the debt limit increase and extension to the National Flood Insurance Program were added, “without any desperately needed reforms,” DiSienna said.