NEW YORK, NY September 16, 2005 —Secretary of State Randy Daniels is one step closer to running for the Republican nomination for Governor. He's quitting his job to devote more time to the campaign. WNYC's Andrea Bernstein reports.

Daniels hasn't officially announced, but he's been agressively travelling the state courting Republican support for at least two years. Leaving George Pataki's cabinet allows him to act with greater independence.

In his letter of resignation, Daniels, a former CBS newsman and PR executive, referred to several accomplishments in his largely obscure post. Those include performing a security audit and developing standards for self-extinguishing cigarettes.

Even though Daniels' desire to be Governor has been an open secret, the New York Republican establishment has brushed off the efforts of this Democrat-turned Republican, who'd be the first Republican African American candidate for Governor. Instead, they've encouraged the candidacy of former Massachussetts Governor William Weld, who said last month he'd run in 2006.