Let the race for governor begin.
Rick Lazio is about to get some hometown support in his mounting bid for governor, with new Suffolk County GOP chair John Jay LaValle confirming yesterday that has decided to endorse the former congressman.
LaValle will be the first county chair to make an endorsement in the governor’s race at a time when the field on either side is far from set, with both Erie County Executive Chris Collins and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also said to be exploring runs.
Lazio, though, is the only candidate to officially declare
his candidacy.
LaValle said that firmness of intentions is part of what lead him to make the endorsement.
“I’m not naming any names, but I like the fact that he is out earlier,” LaValle said. “The people who are staying back, and waiting to see who else emerges—that should discount them. This is not about opportunity, this is about serving the public.”
The Lazio strategy, which is built on the idea of announcing his run early and aggressively lining up support, could gain momentum as his campaign looks to use LaValle’s decision to compel more people in the party to go public with their support, to whichever candidate it may fall.
Already, LaValle—who was named chair after a pitched battled last month—is bringing some other endorsers with him as the plans are finalized for the formal announcement of the endorsement this week: he will be joined by 10 GOP town chairs.
“We are not going to wait around,” he said. “We know Rick Lazio, we’ve seen Rick Lazio work.”
The endorsement does not come as a major shock. Lazio served in the Suffolk County legislature for three years before representing the area in Congress from 1993-2001. Still, the voting trends in the area have changed in the decade since Lazio left office, turning more and more Democratic.
Still, Lazio seemed buoyed by the local support.
“I am honored to count Chairman Lavalle and the town leaders as supporters of mine,” Lazio said in a statement. “Suffolk County is my home and I am proud of my public service both in the county legislature and as a member of Congress. I look forward to working with Chairman Lavalle in the future as I spread my message of fundamental change around New York State.”