Trump-Supporting PAC Gives Final Boost to GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin

A Super PAC connected to President Trump is spending $350,000 on television and radio ads to help Long Island Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin's re-election bid.

Great America PAC filed the ad buy with the Federal Election Commission this week. It's part of a last-minute blitz in competitive New York and New Jersey House races that, according to FEC filings, includes:

• $550,000 from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to defeat GOP Rep. Tom MacArthur in central New Jersey's 3rd District. MacArthur is facing Democrat Andy Kim.
• $440,000 from Change Now, a PAC financed by the Service Employees International Union, the League of Conservation Voters and other Democratic-leaning groups, to defeat GOP Rep. John Katko in New York's 24th District, near Syracuse. Katko is up against Democrat Dana Balter.
• $100,000 from House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC with ties to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, targeting GOP Rep. Leonard Lance in New Jersey's 7th District.
• Tens of thousands in spending from other outside groups, such as New York and New Jersey hotel unions and the Progressive Turnout Project, in NY-19, NY-22, NJ-7 and other close races. The last week of advertising spending most often favors Democrats over Republicans.

Zeldin is an outspoken supporter of Trump and has appeared with Trump at events. His campaign didn’t respond to questions about the money or the ads. The NY-1 ads are the largest amount the Great America PAC has spent to support a Congressional candidate this cycle, according to FEC records.

Democratic opponent Perry Gershon’s campaign says the ads are a sign national Republicans are trying to save Zeldin.

"Trump and his extremist Washington allies will try anything to save Lee Zeldin's floundering campaign, said Gershon spokeswoman Ali Dakich. "Lee has been so out of touch for so long that the President's cash can't buy voters back."

Zeldin has led in public polls and is favored by those who rate House races.