Lee Zeldin Attacked At Campaign Event; Man Charged: Sheriff

LONG ISLAND, NY — Rep. Lee Zeldin, the GOP and Conservative nominee for governor of New York in the November election, was attacked at a campaign event in Fairport Thursday. A man climbed on stage and attempted to stab him, Zeldin said and a video of the event indicated.

The video shows the man with what appeared to be metal knuckles grabbing Zeldin's arm.

According to a release from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Perinton, NY, on Thursday at 8 p.m., Zeldin was onstage giving a campaign speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8495 at 300 Macedon Center Road, in the town of Perinton. A man from the crowd climbed up on the stage and approached Zeldin, the sheriff's office said. The man had a weapon in his hand, swung it toward Zeldin’s neck, and told him, “You’re done," the sheriff's office said.

Members of the audience and Zeldin’s campaign restrained the male until deputies arrived and took him into custody; there were no injuries, the sheriff's office said.

David G. Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted assault, a felony, the sheriff's office said. He was arraigned in Perinton Town Court and released on his own recognizance, the sheriff's office said.

"Thank you to everyone who reached out following tonight’s attack in Fairport. Someone tried to stab me on stage during this evening’s rally, but fortunately, I was able to grab his wrist and stop him for a few moments until others tackled him. I’m okay," Zeldin said.

Republican Party and Conservative Party Nominee for Lieutenant Governor Alison Esposito, and all other attendees are also safe, he said.

"The attacker is in custody. Grateful for the attendees who stepped up quickly to assist and the law enforcement officers who quickly responded. I’m as resolute as ever to do my part to make New York safe again. This suspect will likely be right back out on the street immediately," he said.

In a video posted on YouTube by NBC affiliate WHEC the man grabbed Zeldin by the arm, saying, "You're done. You're done."

Those who ran to Zeldin's aid pulled the man to the ground, with Zeldin also falling.

"What is he doing?" the crowd asked. "Whoa!"

The man began screaming as his hands and legs were zip-tied and he was put into a Monroe County Sheriff's Office police vehicle.

Incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who Zeldin is hoping to unseat, issued a statement: "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," she Tweeted. "I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest terms possible — it has no place in New York."

The event was a stop on Zeldin's "Unite to Fire Hochul" bus tour.

Zeldin was declared the winner of the GOP primary in June and is vying against Hochul, who won the Democratic primary.

Zeldin, from Shirley, lives on Long Island with his wife and twin daughters, won the congressional race to retain his seat by a wide margin, and ran for his fourth term with campaign platforms focused on his military service, support for law enforcement and veterans, a tough stance on immigration, fighting gang violence (including MS-13), growing jobs and the economy, and getting to the other side of the pandemic.

Zeldin's tenure has been marked by speculation about his reported loyalty to former President Donald Trump. Zeldin, however, has said he is proud of his ability to reach consensus on both sides of the political aisle.

After decrying the violence that rocked the U.S. Capitol in January, Zeldin voted to object to the certification of the Electoral College votes for then-President-elect Joe Biden.