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Brother of slain NYC Councilman James Davis calls Hochul ‘no show,’ endorses Lee Zeldin

The brother of slain New York City Councilman James Davis crossed party lines to back Republican Lee Zeldin for governor after accusing fellow Democrat Kathy Hochul of being a “no-show” in addressing surging crime.

Geoffrey Davis, long active in local Democratic Party politics, said Zeldin has made the more effective case that he’s concerned about cracking down on violence and lawlessness.

“Lee Zeldin has been on the right side by campaigning every day vowing to address crime. Kathy Hochul, who I supported when she ran for lieutenant governor, has been a no-show when it comes to addressing violence and public safety,” Davis said. 

James Davis, a Brooklyn legislator and ex-cop, was shot and killed by a deranged rival in the Council chamber on July 23, 2003 — an assassination that shocked the city. Other council members dodged bullets during the extraordinary assassination, with cops killing the shooter.

Geoffrey Davis runs the anti-violence group named in honor of his brother, the James E. Davis Foundation.

Lee Zeldin, Geoffrey Davis.
Geoffrey Davis, brother of slain Councilman James Davis, endorses Lee Zeldin for governor. courtesy Geoffrey Davis

“Hate is up against Jewish citizens. Violence is being committed against senior citizens. Teenagers are shooting each other. The subway system is out of control with violence,” said Davis.

“I’m going to let voters know that Kathy Hochul is a no-show.”

Davis, who is black, said Hochul and other Democratic politicians are risking turning off Afro-Caribbean voters by ignoring or downplaying crime.

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NY Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Geoffrey Davis, a Democrat, crossed party lines to endorse Republican Lee Zeldin over fellow Democrat incumbent Kathy Hochul for governor. Matthew McDermott
Othniel Askew
Othniel Askew, the man who shot and killed Councilman James David before being fatally shot by police at City Hall. AP
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Geoffrey Davis.
Geoffrey Davis marches alongside the hearse carrying his brother, slain Councilman James Davis, following his funeral service on July 29, 2003. AP
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“You can’t take black voters for granted. You’ve got to do the job,” he said.   

He said he’s personally met Zeldin a few times in his Crown Heights neighborhood and supports his plan to overhaul the controversial cashless bail law for most crimes.

“We have to reform bail reform. It’s too lackadaisical,” said Davis.

Slain Brooklyn Councilman James Davis.
How the NY Post reported Councilman James Davis’ murder at City Hall in July 2003. New York Post

He rapped Hochul for downplaying the crime issue and instead focusing on abortion and Zeldin’s ties to former President Donald Trump, until recently as the polls have tightened.

Davis also said he was turned off by Hochul pushing through an $850 million public subsidy to help the Buffalo Bills build a new stadium while its owner, Terry Pegula, is one of the richest people in America.

Forbes recently reported that Pegula’s wealth increased by 17% or $1 billion over the past year to $6.7 billion in assets. Hochul defended the deal during Tuesday night during the Spectrum News/NY1 debate.

Davis, 59, a former Democratic state committee and district leader, ran to succeed his brother in the council, but lost to Letitia James, the current state attorney general.

Zeldin, during the debate Tuesday said, “I am running to take back our streets and to support unapologetically our men and women in law enforcement.”

Hochul defended her crime record, saying she fought for amendments that tightened up the cashless bail law earlier this year and “that’s why the budget was nine days late.”