From the National Journal: Republican candidates that ran for and lost statewide elected office in New York in 2010 are not eager to try their luck again against the only statewide candidate from the Empire State up in 2012: Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Hotline On Call reached out to nine such Republicans. Six of those 2010 candidates replied, including candidates for the Senate, governor and attorney general. None expressed definitive interest in 2012, suggesting the state GOP will have to find new talent to take on one of 2012′s safest Democratic incumbents who also boasts a well-stocked war chest: Gillibrand had $7 million in her account at the end of the third quarter.
So far, only first-year Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos has declared his candidacy. According to a Siena College poll released on Wednesday, Gillibrand has a huge 65 percent to 17 percent lead over the Republican.
Republicans have also expressed interest in 2010 comptroller candidate Harry Wilson, though he has yet to make any formal statement.
Former Rep. Joe DioGuardi, Gillibrand’s last general election opponent, said he is concentrating instead on speaking out about the nation’s debt, saying that he feels like “Paul Revere back on his horse ringing the bell.”
Former Port Authority Commissioner Bruce Blakeman, who lost the GOP primary to DioGuardi but ran in the general election on the Tax Revolt party line, declined a Senate run. He may consider a House bid instead.
2010 GOP gubernatorial nominee Carl Paladino has ruled out a Senate run. However, he left options open for challenging Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2014, saying, “It depends upon my mood at the time.”
