Even though the race for governor is not until next year, there is already talk of which Republicans might challenge Andrew Cuomo, including state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan. Zack Fink filed the following report.
Sources tell NY1 that Republican Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan has begun having conversations about running for governor against Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo in 2018.
"This Republican, Flanagan, knows that this is a moderate Republican state at best. He has shown himself over time to be a leader, lead the Senate in a way where they are getting stuff done. And that says to me he should consider running," said Tom Doherty, a Republican strategist.
The Long Island lawmaker is coming off a good year. With Hillary Clinton at the top of the ticket last November, some observers thought Democrats would win control of the state Senate. They were wrong. Under Flanagan's leadership, Republicans actually gained a seat.
But running for governor, or any statewide office, is a far different sort of challenge.
"Name recognition is least important here," said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic strategist. "What's important more so, if we look at state races and local races last fall, was geography. John Flanagan comes from a part of the state, Sufflok County, and the New York City suburbs, which are very important in a gubernatorial race. And he can probably do better than people think."
But Cuomo is sitting on roughly $20 million, and he still has almost two years to raise more, which could be a hurdle for Flanagan.
"I think the one thing Flanagan understands is you have to raise money. And as Senate majority leader, he's had to raise a lot of money to hold onto the state Senate," Doherty said. "Running a race against an incumbent governor in New York is $25 million-plus. It starts there."
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Republican State Chairman Ed Cox says, "He believes any and all of the people being mentioned as potential candidates wopuld do a better job than our current Governor whose record is steeped in corruption and broken promises."
At least three other Republicans are considering getting into the race, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who ran in 2014.
A spokesman for Flanagan would not confirm or deny. He said Flanagan is honored to serve as majority leader, and with the new legislative session getting underway, the only thing he is focused on is doing the people's business.