The NY State Republican Party's convention begins today, and four men—Suffolk County Executive and former Democrat Steve Levy, former Congressman and one-time Senate candidate Rick Lazio, real estate entrepreneur Myers Mermel, and Buffalo real estate millionaire Carl Paladino— are hoping for the nomination to challenge Andrew Cuomo for the governor's seat this November. But the crowded field means one thing: Chaos. The Post says—in a story headlined "GOP rift over who'll be Cuo-mowed down"—a "prominent statewide GOP official said, "This is an insider fight within our party over leadership and control, and we all recognize that it has nothing to do with the outcome of the November election."
NY State GOP Chairman Ed Cox (son-in-law of Richard Nixon) recruited Levy to run—he told the Times, "I believe that Steve will be the designated candidate at the convention"—which has made some members unhappy. One complained to the Post, "Ed Cox has been a disaster for the party" and another strategist lamented to the Daily News, "There is no bright spot. We don't have a single statewide candidate who has a chance to win."
The Wall Street Journal explains the challenge that Levy faces: "First, he'll need to win 25% of the weighted vote of delegates in his bid for governor. Second, he'll need to win at least 50% of a special vote to be allowed to run in a September primary." Lazio recently received the endorsement from the Conservative party, which he touted to NY1, "I feel great about where we are right now. I picked up the Conservative Party designation on Friday. I'll pick up the Republican designation this week and we're on to the general election."
