Bob Hennelly
WNYC's Bob Hennelly is an award-winning investigative journalist. While at WNYC he has reported on a wide gamut of major public policy questions ranging from immigration and homeland security to power outages and utility mergers.
Suffolk County Democrat Announces Run for Governor, as a Republican
Friday, March 19, 2010
New York, NY –
Steve Levy has formally announced his intentions to run for governor as a Republican. The Suffolk County Executive, until today a Democrat, made his declaration in Albany, outside the Capitol where he once served as a state assemblyman. His run was endorsed by the state GOP chairman, Ed Cox, and former GOP gubernatorial candidate John Faso.
"I wanted this day to be a game-changer," Levy said. "We're going to change this state and we're going to change it for good."
Levy still faces considerable hurdles. He is not yet a member of the Republican party and has until June to win the backing of key GOP county chairs who represent at least a majority of the state's registered Republicans. He aims to get support from the Independence and Conservative parties, based on his tough anti-illegal immigration position and record as a budget hawk. Levy faces a test Saturday when the Conservative leadership meets in Brooklyn.
Still, Levy starts his challenge with a healthy campaign war chest and has already won key support away from his rival, Republican Rick Lazio.
Lazio's campaign blasted Levy's candidacy, calling him "a liberal Democrat with a liberal record." Levy dismissed the liberal label, saying he often was a "contrarian" in the Assembly who was not afraid of voting against the Democratic majority.
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