Surrounded by state and local GOP leaders, Conservative Democrat-turned-Republican Steve Levy today announced his bid to run for Governor of New York on the Republican ticket. Levy, a former state assemblyman who currently serves as Suffolk County Executive, held two press conferences to declare his candidacy: one outside the state Capitol building in Albany and another in New York City’s Battery Park.
Mr. Levy has compared himself to Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, saying today, “You know in Massachusetts it was perceived very early on that there was going to be a coronation and he came along and said ‘hold it, not so fast… the people will decide who will represent them.’” Levy called his own candidacy a grassroots movement that goes beyond party saying, “what I’m doing is laying out my particular perspective on the recipe we need to save this state from going bankrupt and anyone who wants to join with me from any party I’ll embrace and walk with, but so far these (Republicans) are the folks who are with me.”
This morning in Albany, Levy signed the paperwork to change his registration to the Republican Party. The switch is not effective immediately and because of that Levy campaign strategist John Weaver says the candidate will need to get fifty percent of the votes at the upcoming state convention in order to be in the primary. Weaver is confident though that Mr. Levy will get those votes, and added that Levy is officially a Republican today.
Standing on the Hudson River with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop, Levy declared that the people of New York are “crying out for someone with a proven record as an executive manager who can balance budgets, make the tough decisions to protect taxpayers and save New York from financial ruin.” Pointing to his record of fiscal restraint, Levy claims he is that leader.
He has the support of New York State Republican Chairman Ed Cox who said in a statement, “We are happy that Steve Levy has come over to the Republican Party with his outstanding record of fiscal conservatism and plan to save New York.” According to Levy, that plan includes, “Declaring a fiscal emergency, capping spending, capping property tax increases, and structural reform on every level and in every line of the budget.”
On social issues, Levy says he is pro-choice but is against partial birth abortion and on the topic of gay rights that he is in favor of civil unions but marriage should be between a man and a woman. When asked about the healthcare bill, Levy said this is “not the right bill.” If passed, he claims it will be hurtful for New York State because it would require the state and local governments to come up with billions more in tax revenue to pay for the expanded Medicaid enrollment.
Levy will square off against Republican Rick Lazio in the GOP primary. Lazio’s campaign was quick to go on the offensive today. In a statement, Lazio campaign manager Kevin Fullington referred to Levy as a liberal Democrat and said, “He is a supporter of Barack Obama… and he has voted for the largest tax increase in New York state history. He even said that the Obama stimulus package was a ‘manna from heaven’ that would ‘save lives’.”
NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is the likely Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Citing an “accumulation of obstacles” current Democratic governor David Paterson dropped out of the race late last month. Paterson’s administration had been dogged by scandal, low approval numbers and dwindling Democratic support.