New York State Republicans have chosen former Long Island Congressmember Rick Lazio as the party’s nominee to go up against Democrat Andrew Cuomo in this year’s governor’s race.
The party, which had been split on a number of candidates including former Democrat and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, chose Lazio at its convention on Wednesday, June 2.
“The people deserve more than politicians who choose to cling to power by cutting deals today over the hard and difficult work of building a better tomorrow,” Lazio said on Wednesday. “The people are looking for new leaders who are not part of the culture of Albany. The people want fiscally responsible, common sense government. And I will deliver it.”
Lazio could still face a primary from billionaire businessman Carl Paladino, who vowed to get enough signatures to challenge Lazio in a primary. It was not immediately clear if Levy would mount a run.
Although Lazio will undoubtedly be the underdog against Cuomo this November, local Republicans are happy to have him.
“Congressman Lazio showed tremendous strength today,” said Phil Ragusa, Chair of the Queens County Republican Party. “We had a great field of well qualified Republicans, but we come out of our convention united to tackle Albany’s dysfunction. Rick will be a great standard bearer.”
