Former Mayor Ed Koch complained that NY State Republicans are dragging their feet on making good on redistricting reform. Yesterday, at a press conference, he pointed out how Republicans promised reform during last year's election but have now reneged, "You know, you either have to honor your pledge or you’re, in my judgment, dishonorable." And one of those "dishonorable" lawmakers is State Senator Majority Leader Dean Skelos. more ›

Looks like NY State Republican chair Ed Cox's plan to have Democrat-turned-Republican Steve Levy run for Governor (foiled, by the nomination of Rick Lazio) has angered national Republican Chairman Michael Steele. The Daily News reports, "The National GOP is funneling cash for local elections directly to county leaders - a step never before taken in New York," which is a "clear snub" and a "direct slap at Cox." Cox admitted he was surprised, but told the News that he and Steele "spent a very warm six hours" together last week, "[Steele] put his arm around me in a very warm way and told me now that the convention was over he was looking forward to us working together." more ›

Yesterday, the NY State Republican Party nominated Rick Lazio to face off against Andrew Cuomo in this fall's race for the governor. However, it seems the process has caused problems for the GOP, vs. the Democrats. The Post reports one consultant as saying, "This whole thing was a disaster. Politically, it was a disaster. Organizationally, it was a disaster. It was a train wreck." more ›

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." more ›

Rush & Molloy are hearing from people unhappy with NY State Republican chairman Ed Cox, who is also known as Richard Nixon's son-in-law and the guy who wants a former Democrat to be on the Republican ticket for governor, and have a theory about why it's been so hard to find a Republican to run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Cox blockers suspect that "Cox wants to 'throw' the race so he and wife Tricia's 31-year-old son, Christopher, can run against Gilly two years from now." more ›

Rudy Giuliani has been reportedly thinking about running for governor next year, but other state Republicans think he might be better suited to run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Now the top NY State GOP figure—new party chair Ed "son-in-law of Richard Nixon" Cox—agrees, saying Giuliani "could be very effective in running for the Senate...I think he would have a better chance of winning that race," especially if Andrew Cuomo runs on the Democratic ticket. more ›

The head of the NY State GOP, Joseph Mondello, is stepping down, raising questions about Rudy Giuliani and a possible Rudy run for governor. The pair had a meeting last week and there has been a recent "Draft Rudy" movement. CityRoom reports, "Mr. Mondello’s decision, and Mr. Giuliani’s involvement in it, comes as the latest evidence that the former mayor is seriously considering a run for governor in 2010. Many party officials believe there is little rationale for Mr. Giuliani to get in the weeds of the state party’s political apparatus unless he is serious about running." Ed Cox, son-in-law of Richard Nixon and friend of John McCain, and Niagara County chair Henry Wojtaszek are vying to be the new state GOP head. more ›

Last night, the NY Republican State Committee's dinner featured keynote speaker Newt Gingrich. That's right, the former Speaker of the House wasn't just in town for tea bagging! PolitickerNY reports that Gingrich was hyping up a Republican dream team for 2010: "“I think if we had Mayor Giuliani for governor, and we had Governor Pataki as senator, we would be in a large step towards the tidal wave to make 2010 comparable to 1994. And I think that should be our goal." Gingrich also believes the state GOP will be facing Andrew Cuomo in 2010, "So, you got to design a campaign that beats Cuomo, because the fact is, Democrats aren’t insane. When a member of the Democratic Party becomes too weak to reelect, they tend to cannibalize them before we get to them." more ›

Unhappy with last week's elections which saw the Republican majority in the State Senate disappear, the State GOP is reportedly eager to be led by Rudy Giuliani. Insiders tell the Post's Albany bureau chief Fred Dicker that current GOP Chairman Joseph Mondello, "widely criticized as ineffective and out-of-touch, is being encouraged to step aside, and is expected to do so by the end of the year." Former State GOP Chairman William Powers said, "The party needs strong leadership, that's for sure." And that's the name of Giuliani's book! John Faso, who ran against Eliot Spitzer in 2006, said, "A lot of people are talking, saying we definitely need a change." And Giuliani is also being asked to run for governor in 2010, if can believe the other chatter. more ›

Even though Mayor Bloomberg doesn't belong to a political party, he has confirmed he will help NY State Republicans face re-election this year. Why? It boils down to his pet failed project, congestion pricing. more ›

A day after his stunning decision to leave the State Senate after 32 years, Majority Leader Joseph Bruno held a sentimental press conference. Capitol Confidential and Daily Politics has highlights from his remarks, like “Life decisions are never easy. And I’ve made a life decision. My life decision is to step back, and step out" and answering "I have news for you, we're all terminal here" when asked if he is terminally ill. more ›

The highest ranking Republican in NY State, State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, announced he would not seek re-election this fall. The 79-year-old released a statement; here is an excerpt (the full statement is after the jump: "Today I met with my Republican colleagues in the Senate and informed them that I will not be running for re-election this November. After 32 years in office, I have decided that it is time to move on with my life and to give my constituents an opportunity for new representation and my colleagues in the Senate who have supported me an opportunity for new leadership." more ›

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's name is being mentioned again as a possible candidate for governor in 2010. While the earlier speculation and rumors were due to the nuttiness of Eliot Spitzer's resignation and current Governor David Paterson's confessions (dames, drugs), this time it's because Rudy's strategist Anthony Carbonetti may be in line to head the state GOP. more ›

Lieutenant Governor David Paterson spoke to reporters for the first time since Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned yesterday. Paterson mentioned how it's been a sad and unexpected past few days, speaking fondly of Spitzer and his family. He also made sure to emphasize he's ready; from CityRoom:

I made my commitment when I gave my word to Governor Spitzer in January 2006, when I left as the Democratic Senate leader to be his running mate, that I would be prepared, if in event I had to assume authority. I am prepared and on Monday, at 1 p.m., I will have the oath of office administered to me in the Assembly chamber. Most of you are invited. more ›

After expectations/hopes that Governor Eliot Spitzer would step down today, one of his top aides, Lloyd Constantine, denied a resignation was happening any time soon, "I have seen press reports that the governor’s resignation is imminent, and that is not true." Well, as long as he's governor, Spitzer's still super - superdelegate, that is. more ›

Governor Eliot Spitzer is expected to resign, according to top aides who spoke to the NY Times. It's unclear when the resignation will happen, but Lieutenant David Paterson is working on a transition. more ›

Just because Mayor Bloomberg has denied running for governor in 2010 doesn't mean it has to be true! The Sun's Davidson Goldin thinks that for Bloomberg, "Running for governor is likely, and becoming more so." more ›

Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey, who has spent many months (if not years) hinting about his boss's presidential ambitions, is still stirring the pot of rumors. Last night on NY1's Inside City Hall, Sheekey, "promoted the idea of an Obama-Bloomberg presidential ticket." more ›

As if it were any question, the NY State GOP will endorse Rudy Giuliani for President. GOP chairman for NY State Joseph Mondello is endorsing Rudy today in Manhattan, and he'll go to Albany for an event with State Senate Majority leader Joseph Bruno. Last week, Governor Eliot Spitzer endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton, but how likely do you think it'll be an actual Hillary vs. Rudy matchup in 2008? more ›

While former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is interested in running for President, what with visiting NH this past weekend, it's unclear how the GOP feels about him. The Post reports that the NY State GOP has Giuliani's big 2008 rival, Senator John McCain, to appear at a fund-raiser in Manhattan. One Giuliani supporter says, "It's a slight," but the NYS GOP claims that the party just needs a lot of money (it's broke) and all the starpower it can line up, which is pretty believable. more ›

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It's times like these when the newspapers go into a frenzy and give their opinions about the transit strike today. Here's our take on them: more ›

More trouble for Westchester DA Jeannine Pirro's four month bid to run against Hillary Clinton in 2006: She has to chat with Governor Pataki to "weigh her options." Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said Pirro should get out of hte race and run for Attorney General instead. Scuttlebutt is that Ed Cox, Richard Nixon's son-in-law, will return to the Senate race, after having been shushed out by Pataki earlier this year. What's hilarious is that Pirro's own advisers may be the ones trying to move her to the Attorney General's case, since she'd probably get thrashed by Clinton. more ›