Steve Bannon to headline Rep. Zeldin fundraiser in Manhattan

<p>Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's former chief strategist and controversial conservative firebrand, is headlining a campaign fundraiser Thursday night for Rep. Lee Zeldin, of Suffolk's 1st District.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 14, 2017, 10:57 PM

Updated 2,318 days ago

Share:

Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's former chief strategist and controversial conservative firebrand, is headlining a campaign fundraiser Thursday night for Rep. Lee Zeldin, of Suffolk's 1st District. 
Bannon has been accused by many as being a white nationalist and giving a platform to the alt-right movement on his website, Breitbart. 
Republicans were especially bothered at Bannon after he championed the candidacy of embattled Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who became the first Republican to lose a Senate race in Alabama in a quarter century.
Rep. Peter King said that Bannon doesn't belong on the national political stage. 
"He looks like some disheveled drunk that wandered onto the political stage," said Rep. King on CNN's New Day Wednesday. 
Dave Ryan, of Smithtown, says he's voted for Zeldin twice, but he's not happy about the congressman's willingness to stand side by side with Bannon.
"Steve Bannon is someone I think is taking the national GOP in the wrong direction, I'm kind of disappointed, but sometimes I guess you chase the money," said Ryan. 
Other Zeldin supporters say they trust their congressman's judgment. 
Political analyst Mike Dawidziak says Rep. Zeldin's district is not one where "you want to appear too extreme." 
"If Lee Zeldin is smart and, I think he's smart, he will try to separate his governance from his politics," says Dawidziak. 
News 12 Long Island attempted to reach Rep. Zeldin about the fundraiser, but have not hear back.
 


More from News 12