Republican Marcus Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, has registered a...

Republican Marcus Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, has registered a campaign committee for a possible run for New York governor in 2018. Credit: Courtesy of Marcus Molinaro

ALBANY — One of the many Republicans considering a run for governor in 2018 has taken the first official step toward doing so: registering a gubernatorial campaign committee.

Marcus Molinaro, the Dutchess County Executive and a former state assemblyman, recently filed to create a “Molinaro for New York” campaign account with the state Board of Elections. The committee has no reported activity yet.

But in filing, Molinaro becomes the first Republican to do more than say he is considering a run.

Molinaro, 42, has been Dutchess’ executive since 2012. He served in the Assembly from 2007 to 2011.

A number of other GOP colleagues have said they are considering running, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the party’s 2014 candidate; Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-East Northport); Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse); Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua); Carl Paladino, the party’s 2010 candidate; and ex-hedge fund manager Harry Wilson.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, 59, a two-term Democrat, has said he intends to run for re-election.

Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to Carey football player James McGrath about how he has persevered after losing his parents at a young age, and to the Lahainaluna (Hawaii) High School football coach about how his team persevered after the Maui wildfires of 2023, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the All-Long Island teams photo shoot. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep.16: From Island to island, how football helped overcome tragedy Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to Carey football player James McGrath about how he has persevered after losing his parents at a young age, and to the Lahainaluna (Hawaii) High School football coach about how his team persevered after the Maui wildfires of 2023, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the All-Long Island teams photo shoot.

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