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The Governor’s race for New York State is in 2010. Who will run against present, Democratic Party Governor David Paterson? (And, for that matter, is there any chance that Paterson will not run? Or, be primaried? Paterson did come by the position in an interesting manner.)
In New York, the Governor’s race is the only chance, once every four years, that an “independent political body” such as the Green Party or Libertarian Party have a chance to win automatic ballot status. There is an awful lot of reason for these small parties to run a candidate, and see if they can get the 50,000 votes they need to jump to official party status (like the Conservative Party, Independence Party, and Working Families Party already enjoy in New York.)
The plans have started rolling. Here is an article about what the Republican Party in New York is doing about finding a candidate to oppose Governor Paterson in 2010:
(excerpt from) The Buffalo News
Republicans gear up to challenge struggling Paterson
GOP see chance of gaining key post as governor’s popularity declines in wake of Senate selection.
By Robert J. McCarthy / News Political Reporter / Updated: 02/03/09 08:54 AM
After two new polls show sharp declines in Gov. David A. Paterson’s popularity, New York Republicans are beginning to smell blood in the water…
Former Rep. Rick Lazio, who unsuccessfully ran against Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Senate in 2000, is exploring a run for governor in 2010, according to several sources. The former Long Island congressman is talking to party leaders and expects to rejuvenate his Western New York connections within the next few weeks…
Meanwhile, the state GOP’s big kahuna, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, has made no public noise about running for governor. But most Republicans view him as an instant front-runner should he opt in…
Still, it’s a tough challenge for the state GOP, which finds itself at low ebb after losing the Senate — its last bastion of Albany power — in 2008. The governor, comptroller, attorney general and both U. S. senators are all Democrats. The opposition even enjoys a veto-proof majority in the Assembly.
In addition, Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York by about 2.4 million voters — a substantial increase from their 500,000 edge when D’Amato was elected senator back in 1980…
Erie County’s Chris Collins, whom some Republicans mention as gubernatorial material, also won in heavily Democratic turf. Along with Lazio, Collins will address next month’s meeting of the Conservative Party in Albany, considered a key constituency for any statewide Republican.
Some see Collins’ appearance as an attempt to raise his statewide profile; his staff downplays the importance…
But Lazio, now an executive with JPMorgan-Chase, appears to be the most aggressive candidate at this early date. Wojtaszek and Erie County Republican Chairman James P. Domagalski both say they are aware of Lazio moving around the state…
Lorigo points out that Lazio has always maintained close ties to the Conservatives. Some of Giuliani’s stances — on abortion and gay rights, for example — cause him problems with the Conservatives. And the minor party nod is considered crucial in presenting a united front against a Democrat.
While the next gubernatorial election is still 21 months away, political veterans like Reynolds say it’s not too early for potential candidates to move around the state. He noted that state GOP Chairman Joseph N. Mondello is preparing for 2010 with a special commission to examine what the party must do to rebound onto the state scene.
Filed under: 3rd party, election, elections, green, Green Party Websites, New York State Politics, News, Political Websites, progressive politics, third party Tagged: | Conservative Party, David Paterson, democratic party, Governor Paterson, Green Party Websites, Lazio, Libertarian Party, New York State, Republican Party, Rick Lazio, third parties
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