AG candidate Dinallo gets nod from upstate Dems

NIAGARA FALLS - Eric Dinallo Saturday trounced the four other Democrats running for state attorney general in a straw poll of upstate party leaders, winning more than double the votes of second-place finisher Kathleen Rice.

Dinallo, a former state insurance superintendent, received 166 votes in polling of the Democratic Rural Conference. Rice, the Nassau County District Attorney, got 79. She said she was "blown away" by her showing, having only recently begun campaigning upstate.

The DRC also backed Andrew Cuomo for governor, though he was coy Friday about his intentions after a rousing speech to DRC members. They seemed to think he would announce his candidacy before the state Democratic Convention in 3 1/2 weeks.

Consisting of 47 counties, the DRC represents about 25 percent of the weighted convention vote. Dinallo, of Manhattan, will likely have a spot on the Sept. 14 primary ballot if the DRC sticks with him. But Rice will probably be on the ballot also because of support from Long Island and parts of New York City, such as Brooklyn.

"I cannot imagine a better outcome . . . a 2-to-1 victory," Dinallo said, referring to his winning margin over Rice. He has spent about a year wooing upstate leaders, vowing to direct more of the attorney general's resources to rural communities.

Noting she had less time to campaign because of her Nassau duties, Rice said: "Clearly my record and my message was one that resonated with the rural counties."

Before the nearly 400 DRC members cast secret ballots, Rice touted her record of prosecuting gang violence, Medicaid fraud and drunken driving in Nassau. The sole woman running for attorney general so far, she reminded the DRC the nominees for governor and comptroller were likely to be men.

"You heard last night from Andrew Cuomo . . . we need a ticket that's strong, that's tested . . . a ticket that's balanced, representing diversity," she said.

Invoking Cuomo, the incumbent attorney general, brought DRC members to Rice. Two, who requested anonymity, said they voted for Rice because they believe she is favored by Cuomo. However, Cuomo has indicated he will play no role in an attorney general primary.

DRC members chuckled when Schenectady County leader Don Ackerman playfully expressed concern about no announced candidates for governor. "Is there anyone in this room who has an idea of a candidate for governor?"

Cuomo aide Josh Vlasto said the attorney general was gratified by the support. However, no mention was made of whether Cuomo was running this year, and if so, for what office.