GOP gubernatorial hopeful Lee Zeldin aligns himself with NYC Mayor Adams in push for bail law action

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Lee Zeldin has found a strange new bedfellow.

The Trump-boosting Long Island congressman has aligned himself with Mayor Adams this week as both men advocate for the state Legislature to beef up New York’s criminal justice laws — an effort that does not appear to be gaining traction with most Democrats in Albany.

Zeldin, who’s challenging Gov. Hochul in November’s election, was quick to thumb out tweets and statements voicing support for Adams after the Democratic mayor called on state lawmakers Tuesday to convene a special legislative session to strengthen bail laws that he believes are too lax.

“Mayor Adams’ call must be heeded with bold action to secure the streets, subways, homes, and businesses of New York. Enough is Enough!” Zeldin said in a statement Wednesday.

On Thursday afternoon, Zeldin was set to further solidify his pro-Adams stance, planning a virtual press conference to “speak out in support” of the mayor’s call for a special session “to address major flaws with New York’s cashless bail and ‘raise the age’ laws.”

The Legislature this spring baked provisions into the state budget that gave judges more discretion in setting bail, especially in gun-related criminal cases. The budget machinations in part rolled back 2020 criminal justice reforms favored by progressive Democrats in the State Assembly and Senate.

But both Zeldin and Adams have argued a lot more needs to be done.

A top priority for the unlikely political allies is getting lawmakers to insert a state law standard that would give judges the power to set bail or keep criminal suspects locked up pending trial if they are deemed “dangerous.”

Under current law, cash bail is only allowed in serious violent criminal cases and certain unusual misdemeanors — and Adams said Wednesday that such restrictions are “off the rails” and results in a spiral of “catch, release, repeat,” echoing rhetoric used by Republicans like Zeldin.

While Zeldin is openly embracing Adams, the mayor has sought to put distance between himself and the conservative congressman.

Adams — who has endorsed Hochul in the gubernatorial race — posted a tweet late Wednesday pushing back against a message from Zeldin that lauded his demand for a special session.

“Congressman, you can’t claim to want to keep New Yorkers safe while opposing common sense gun safety laws, as you have throughout your entire career,” Adams wrote, referencing Zeldin’s record of voting against gun control bills in Congress.

Still, Adams’ Zeldin-embraced push for bail reform rollbacks has unnerved some Democrats in Albany, who argue there’s no data to corroborate the claim that the state’s criminal justice reforms are too blame for crime spikes during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s sad Mayor Adams has joined the ranks of right wingers who are so grossly demagoguing this issue,” said Queens State Sen. Michael Gianaris, his body’s deputy Democratic majority leader. “He should focus less on deflecting from his own responsibility for higher crime and more on taking steps that would actually make New York safer.”

There’s also no indication that Hochul or lawmakers are planning to heed Adams’ request for a special session in the dog days of summer.

Hochul said Tuesday that there have been “no discussion” with legislative leaders about convening a special session and suggested she believes the reforms enacted in the budget this spring are sufficient.

Asked about Hochul’s resistance, Adams acknowledged Wednesday that the buck doesn’t stop with him on this issue.

“Albany is going to do what Albany does,” he said. “I don’t control Albany.”