Albany Watch

   Warren Redlich, a lawyer and Web entrepreneur from the Albany suburb of Guilderland, announced today that he is running for governor and will seek endorsements from the Libertarian and Republican parties.

   Redlich, a member of the Guilderland Town Board, described himself as a Libertarian Republican and is a member of the Tea Party movement. Tea Party Patriots is a non-profit group that promotes fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets, according to the organization’s Web site.

   “My main focus is cutting spending,” said Redlich, 43, adding that means eliminating some state departments and public authorities. His other ideas for reducing state spending include capping the salaries of future public employees at $100,000, and capping their pensions at $75,000, he said. About 80,000 public employees make more than $100,000 a year, according to SeeThroughNY.net.

   “Albany insiders are willing to lay off teachers, freeze pay for rank-and-file employees, and increase taxes. We’ll save more now, and much more later, by ending abuses at the top,” he said in a statement.

   Redlich, who ran unsuccessfully for the 21st congressional district in 2004 and 2006, will be up against former U.S. Rep. Rick Lazio of Long Island, who is seeking the GOP nod to run for governor. Redlich is a Long Island native.

   Gov. David Paterson, a Democrat, is running for election. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expected to announce soon that he is seeking the Democratic Party’s endorsement for governor.