By: Ilana Siyance
On Monday, in a gathering in Albany, Republicans gathered to garner interest in taking on Governor Andrew Cuomo in the state elections coming up in November 2022. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, speakers included U.S. Reps. Lee Zeldin and Elise Stefanik, Andrew Giuliani, the son of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as well as former gubernatorial candidates, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
The Republicans know they will need a head start if they have a chance of making a dent in the statewide election, as there are currently more than double the Democrats in comparison to Republicans in the Empire State. The last time the GOP succeeded in winning a statewide office was in 2002 when Gov. George Pataki was elected to serve his third term. The state Senate majority has also been held by Democrats since 2018, limiting the GOP’s efforts to raise campaign funds. “It is imperative that we get the ball rolling,” said NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy, referring to next year’s statewide elections.
On April 8, U.S. Rep. Zeldin, who represents an eastern Long Island district, became the first major GOP candidate to announce his candidacy for the gubernatorial race. His campaign said he raised $1 million on its first day. In January, Mr. Cuomo stated that he has $16.8 million of coffers amassed for the campaign.
As per the WSJ, other Republicans who are considering running for governor in 2022, include U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, whose district includes the Adirondack Park, and Andrew Giuliani, who worked as aide for former President Donald Trump in the White House. Additionally, Molinaro and Astorino, who ran for governor in 2018 and 2014 respectively, are both seriously considering another bid.
Many fear that association with Former President Trump will further impede any Republican from winning the post of NYC governor. “I don’t know how any Republican who was a Trump supporter can overcome that kind of voter enrollment disadvantage,” said Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra who was a Democrat before switching over to the GOP in 1999, and who hopes for a chance at a bid.
Mr. Langworthy dismissed the pessimism, saying Democrats have an albatross of their own in Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has been accused of mishandling the pandemic in nursing homes and was accused of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior in the workplace. The governor continues to deny wrongdoing but has apologized if he made anyone feel uncomfortable.
