Far-Right Activist From Forest Hills Casts His Bid For Governor

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Republican gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Lee Zeldin garnered another GOP county chair endorsement this week, virtually securing his position as the party's nominee in the 2022 governor's race.

Derrick Gibson— a Forest Hills business owner turned far-right podcaster — however, wants people to know that he's still in the race; he's even hoping for an endorsement from the House Republican Conference Chair, Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Gibson, who officially launched his campaign for governor in Feb. of last year, worked for years as a construction and automotive business owner in Forest Hills — where he was born, and currently lives. "He rides the train everyday and comes into contact with real New Yorkers, speaking to them at length about their concerns for the state," his campaign website reads.

Then, Gibson launched a far-right podcast, where he "sheds light on important issues" that are widely considered to be myths — including that Donald Trump won the 2020 election — and invites extremist speakers, like a convicted member of the Proud Boys.

“I like what you stand for,” Gibson told the Proud Boy on his podcast. “I saw your bylaws. I agree with them 100 percent. I may as well be a Proud Boy myself.”

Gibson, who is an outspoken supporter of Trump, identifies as a "true conservative," and a "MAGA Republican" — and he's not the only Republican with extremist viewpoints to throw his hat in the ring for governor.

Zeldin is a longtime ally of Donald Trump and voted to overturn the 2020 election results, is the Republican's "presumed nominee," Politico reported in June.

Running alongside him is Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani who, alongside his father, worked for Trump during his presidency.

Only a handful of gubernatorial candidates — Democratic and Republican alike — have registered their campaigns with the state, though many other contenders are expected to join the field in the coming months.