Long: Lazio to bow out, endorsement of Paladino likely

Albany Watch

Former Rep. Rick Lazio will bow out of the governor’s race today, leaving Republican Carl Paladino to battle Democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo, Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long said.

The party will nominate a new candidate for governor on Wednesday, Long said.
Lazio’s exit from the race helps Paladino, a wealthy Buffalo businessman, in his campaign against the well-funded Cuomo.

“It was a mutual agreement between all parities, the Conservative Party and him,” Long said. “I think he’s made the right decision. He ultimately wanted to make the right decision.”

Lazio plans to make his plans official at a news conference in New York City at noon today.
Long said he is moving toward endorsing Paladino for governor.

“I’ve had conversations with Mr. Paladino over the last week and will be moving in that direction,” Long said.

An endorsement of Paladino from Long comes after Paladino’s campaign knocked Long and even launched a third party candidacy challenging the Conservative Party’s dominance.
“I think Carl and I have a clear understanding,” Long said. “I think we can close the book and move forward.”

A Marist College poll last week showed Lazio drawing about 11 percent of the likely voters and 11 percent from Republican voters.

Republican leaders had stepped up the pressure on Lazio to leave the governor’s race.

State Republican Chairman Edward Cox had written a letter to Lazio urging him to back out of the race last week.