New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will have to pick a new running mate now that Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy has decided not to seek another term. Speculation over whom Cuomo may choose includes some familiar local names.Duffy announced his decision in a letter to Cuomo that was first reported by the Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester. The 59-year-old former Rochester mayor cited the job's travel demands and a desire to spend more time with family.
Duffy wrote that he is proud of the administration's accomplishments, particularly its work to boost the upstate economy. The announcement comes two weeks before Democrats hold their nominating convention on Long Island.
Erie County Democratic Committee Chairman Jeremy Zellner thinks there are some top contenders in our own backyard to replace Duffy, including Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and former Congresswoman Kathy Hochul.
"The things that our mayor has been able to do with the city, our county executive's strong leadership taking over when our county was in fiscal distress as the comptroller and then leading our community as our executive is proving that he can lead our state with the governor. Kathy Hochul is a very strong candidate and a potential great asset to our state ticket," Zellner says.
Zellner says he doesn't think Cuomo would upset downstate Democrats by choosing an upstate running mate. He says Cuomo has turned the lieutenant governor's job has turned into a strong position for economic development.
