Levy Makes it Official
March 19th, 2010
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy threw the Republican Primary for governor into chaos this morning when he joined the race after switching parties. Levy called it a “game changer.” There is no doubt that it changes things.
Already announced Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio has started attacking Levy for his liberal leanings. Republican Party leadership is taking sides, the Conservative Party is none too pleased with Republican State Chair Ed Cox’s decision to back the former Democrat, and neither is the Republican National Committee. Cox bolted Levy’s Albany announcement seemingly to avoid questions about inter-party tension.
Cox did formally endorse Levy saying, “Steve, I welcome you into our party, and with your outstanding record of fiscal conservatism, and your detailed plan to save New York, I endorse your run for governor.”
Levy’s switch from Democrat to Republican is symbolic as it won’t go into effect until next year. Levy will need 51 percent support from his party at it’s June convention.
Oh, and Democrats have wasted no time attacking their former colleague. Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson told Liz Benjamin that Levy is, “a nightmare who is attacking the values and history of our state just to win an election.”
Sen. Eric Schneiderman has a similar take: “Steve Levy has built a political career on fear and intimidation. In these tough times, we need a leader who will bring our communities together, not divisively scapegoat the most vulnerable among us. New York deserves better than Steve Levy.”
Here is Levy’s full statement: Read the rest of this entry »
By David King on March 19, 2010, 12:58 pmIn category: Albany, Eye on Albany | No Comments »




