Molinaro Takes Major Step Toward Governor Run

It appears that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is going to have a challenger from the Hudson Valley for governor.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro took his first step in running for New York governor by registering with the state Board of Elections. According to Newsday, Molinaro filed to create a “Molinaro for New York” campaign account

Molinaro has been rumored to run for governor for sometime. He began exploring run as he traveled around the state this month to meet with Republican officials, reports the Auburn Pub.

During a speech in Allegany County in late September, Molinaro strongly hinted he was going to run.

“Yes, I’m thinking of running for governor of the state of New York. Yes, I’m here to see how people respond to that concept,” Molinaro said during his speech to the Town of Republican Club.

At age 17, Molinaro was elected mayor of Tivoli. At the time he was the youngest mayor in America. He then went on to hold positions as County Legislator, State Assemblyman and County Executive.

Molinaro hasn’t made a formal announcement but filing for a campaign committee indicates he hopes to earn the Republican nomination and challenge Cuomo for Governor in 2018.

While Cuomo has critics a recent Marist poll showed that Cuomo leads every potential Republican opponent by a two to one margin. However, it should be noted, Molinaro wasn’t part of the Marist poll.

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