Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said he expects Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to run for governor next year, making Silver the highest ranking Democratic official to indicate unequivocally that Cuomo is plotting a gubernatorial run.
Cuomo has been coy about his plans as he stockpiles campaign cash and quietly lays the foundation for a likely run for governor, a seat held for three terms by his father from 1983 through 1994.
“I do,” Silver answered when asked by Fred Dicker this morning on Dicker’s radio show whether he expects Cuomo to run. “I think he’s clearly showed he’s popular and has always wanted to be governor, and I think he thinks it’s his opportunity.”
Cuomo has only said he’s focused on running for re-election for attorney general next year, but most Democrats across the state expect him to run for governor and polls show him with a wide lead over Democratic Gov. David Paterson in a potential primary and any Republican planning a run.
Paterson said he plans to run for election, likely setting up a contentious primary with Cuomo.
For his part, Silver said he has no plans to endorse a candidate until June. Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson said earlier this week that he’s not prepared to back Paterson’s election bid, saying “My concern is about our conference, the 32 members of our conference.
When it comes to who he would endorse, Silver said “I want to do what’s best for the Democratic Party.”
1 Comment
Considering that Silver is a major contributing factor to New York State’s economic and fiscal decline, Dicker should have asked the Speaker when will he retire and get out of the way. He’ll do everyone a favor by leaving the scene. 15+ years as Speaker is too long for any one person to wield unlimited power in this State. We need a change at all levels of Government: Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Speaker and Majority Leader, both US Senators and congressional seats. Down with tax and liberal Democratic Party candidates in 2010!!!