U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at a rally for New York incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and other state Democrats on November 6, 2022 in Yonkers, New York. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

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UPDATED 4:29 PM PT – Monday, November 7, 2022

President Joe Biden campaigns for New York Governor Kathy Hochul amid a closer than expected race with Republican Lee Zeldin.

Biden appeared with Hochul (D-N.Y.) in Westchester County for a rally on Sunday. Biden claimed that Zeldin talks a “good game” regarding crime but has no actual plans to solve the issue. Crime is a top concern for Empire State voters.

These remarks come as recent polling shows the Trump-endorsed nominee within striking distance of the incumbent.

Biden also sought to cast Zeldin (R-N.Y.) as threat to democracy, calling him an “election denier.” The president claimed that voting against Republicans is a vote to sustain democracy.

“Look at all the polling data, if you all show up and vote, democracy is sustained,” said Biden. “Not a joke. This is not hyperbole. It’s the second time. Not a joke. It matters. It’s in your hands. And look, you’re one of the reasons why, as I said, I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of this country. I look at America reasserting itself to lead the world in the 21st century.”

In response to Biden’s visit, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said that Biden’s last-ditch effort to help Hochul will add to his long list of failures.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday said her Republican opponent is overplaying the state's crime issue and is "trying to scare people for fun."

Hochul made the remark about U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, her Republican opponent, during a campaign stop in Manhattan.

"And New Yorkers are on to it," she said, according to the Washington Times. "All the legitimate media organizations have called him out for what he is doing — fear-mongering," she said. "That’s not just here in New York. That has been the Republican playbook all across this country."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Zeldin. 

A Times reporter then asked the Democratic governor why she has taken a "mocking tone" with New Yorkers experiencing fears of crime in the city, Hochul replied that it was "an absurd assessment."

NEW YORK GOVERNOR: LEE ZELDIN SUPPORTER ATTACKED AT RALLY FOR GOV. KATHY HOCHUL, VIDEO SHOWS

"We have been in the subway," she said. "I stood there with Mayor (Eric) Adams just a few days ago, talking about an intelligent plan, not just to scare people to say that’s over here. And you can scare people, but I’m working on a real solution," referring to her announcement with Mr. Adams in late October known as the "Cops, Cameras, Care" initiative.

Zeldin has repeatedly hammered Hochul over crime across the state throughout his campaign. On Friday, he urged voters to go to the ballot box "like your life depends on it, because it does."

He tweeted the remarks with an image of a New York Post front page showing a man accused of raping a jogger who also has a lengthy criminal history. On Monday, he said, if elected, he would repeal cashless bail and other "pro-criminal laws."

"I am going to continue to focus on everything that we can possibly do to make out streets and subways safer and I do it without apology or regret," he said on Spectrum News NY1. 

Last week, Hochul acknowledged there was a crime problem but also said Zeldin's stance is counterproductive. 

"He thinks it's all right for 18-year-olds to buy an AR-15," she said, adding she changed that law following the Buffalo massacre. "He thinks it’s OK to not have background checks. He opposes what we call the ‘red flag’ laws.

Fox News' Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.