There are more than 100 current or former police officers on the ballot this year for federal, state, and local offices, with more than 90 running for seats in their state legislature. Nearly all are running as Republicans.
America's cops are fed up. They say they've been defunded, scapegoated as violent racists, vilified for the mistakes of a few rogue officers, and challenged by sharp increases in shootings and murders. Now some are pushing back in a way they never expected: walking off the job to run for elected office.
Zeldin has campaigned on bail reform since before a man attempted to attack him on stage at a campaign event this summer. He renewed that push on Thursday.