Giambra halts GOP bid, starts independent bid for governor
Erie County Executive Joel Giambra speaks at a press conference in County Hall in Buffalo, N.Y., in this Jan. 2, 2005. Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS / HARRY SCULL JR.
ALBANY — Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra on Tuesday suspended his Republican bid for governor to pursue the office as an independent.
“I don’t think my independent message has connected with state Republican leaders who seem intent on continuing the losing formula that all but guarantees a third term for Democrat Andrew Cuomo,” Giambra said.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) is seeking the GOP nomination and has gained support of several Republican leaders at the important county level.
“The real fix starts at the top and can only happen with a governor who is independent of the corrupt Albany culture,” Giambra said. “That is what my campaign has been about since Day One and this is now why I believe my message will be best heard and responded to as an independent candidate.”
Assembly Republican leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) dropped out of contention for the Republican nomination earlier this month.
Since then, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has become a more vocal critic of Cuomo. Molinaro is being urged by some Republicans to return to the race.
There was no immediate comment from the DeFrancisco or Cuomo campaigns.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
Bitter cold and some snow return ... Tuberculosis case in school ... Mariah at the Olympics ... State Democratic convention
