Zeldin dumps campaign treasurer he shared with Santos

The former Republican congressman, who stepped down to run for governor, would not confirm reports he’s interested in challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Instead he said he simply wants to reenter politics.

Zeldin seemed eager to distance himself Santos and Marks, who are mired in allegations of campaign finance irregularities.

“The treasurer has something like close to 200 different accounts,” Zeldin said.

As for Santos, Zeldin said, “I don’t see how he is possibly going to regain the trust of his constituents.”

He stopped short of calling for the Long Island congressman’s resignation.

“Whether or not whatever his expiration date is as a member of the House, I don’t have that answer. He is seated.”

Marks has served as a campaign treasurer for Zeldin since his time in the state Senate over a decade ago.

She resigned from Santos’ campaign and affiliated committees late last month. The Federal Election Commission, along with federal and local law enforcement, is probing allegations of financial impropriety in Santos’ campaign.

Zeldin acknowledged he had a personal connection to Marks because their children go to school together on Long Island.

“Our interaction has been through Marks’ daughters,” he said, without elaborating.