Political Update
March 19th, 2018
Molinaro to Launch Run for Governor on April 2
Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro is expected to announce his gubernatorial campaign on April 2nd. While he has not yet formally declared his candidacy, Molinaro has gained a number of endorsements from Republican County leaders throughout the state.
He will be competing with State Senator John DeFrancisco and former Pataki official Joe Holland for the GOP nod.
Actress, Activist Cynthia Nixon to Challenge Gov. Cuomo
Cynthia Nixon, a longtime education activist, has announced her intention to run for Governor of New York in 2018. According to a previous report, she has been consulting with campaign operatives who were involved with Bill de Blasio’s first campaign for New York City mayor in 2013.
Nixon announced her candidacy via YouTube.
Kingston Business Owner to Challenge Amedore
Kingston businesswoman Pat Strong, a Democrat, said last week that she will challenge State Senator George Amedore (R- Rotterdam) for the 46th State Senate District seat. She said that her campaign will focus on taxes, jobs, health care and education.
Amedore, who previously served in the state Assembly, was first elected to the Senate in 2014. The race is expected to be a competitive and high profile one. The 46th Senate district includes all of Greene and Montgomery counties, and parts of Albany, Schenectady and Ulster counties.
Unshackle Upstate has proudly supported George Amedore in the past. As a business owner, he has been a champion in working to strengthen the state’s economy and improve its business climate. We look forward to hearing Ms. Strong’s ideas on those important issues.
Giambra Drops GOP Bid for Governor, Will Run as Independent
Last week, former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra announced that he is no longer seeking the Republican nomination for governor and that he will instead run as an independent. He said that he may seek to run on the Reform Party line.
State Moves Date of September Primary Election
Last week, Gov. Cuomo signed legislation changing the date of the state’s primary election for statewide and state legislative offices from Tuesday, Sept. 11 to Thursday, Sept. 13.
A September 11 primary would have coincided with the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks and the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.