New York gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Lee Zeldin was nearly stabbed at a campaign rally in Fairport, New York, a small town just outside of Rochester, The Daily Mail reports. The Republican was in the midst of a speech about bail reform as part of his ‘United to Fire Hochul’ campaign when he was confronted. A group of Zeldin supporters subdued the attacker.
The man who took down Zeldin’s would-be assailant first was named as AMVETS national director Joe Chenelly. Following the incident, Chenelly’s wife wrote on Facebook: ‘Joe Chenelly is a hero.’
The candidate was not wounded in the incident and returned to the stage after the suspect was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
A weapon taken from the suspect was handed over to authorities. It appeared to be a sharp implement in the form of a cat’s face with the words: ‘Made in the USA’ written across it. The suspect reportedly said words to the effect of: ‘Okay, you’re done,’ prior to launching his attack, according to WHEC.
Source: Matzav