Rochester mayor nominated as Cuomo running mate
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo stands on stage in the park with his father Mario (L) following his announcement to supporters that he is officially running for the Governor of New York outside the Tweed Courthouse. (May 22, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
RYE BROOK - State Democrats Wednesday nominated Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy as their candidate for lieutenant governor after presumptive gubernatorial nominee Andrew Cuomo chose him as his running mate.
Duffy, 55, is in his second term as mayor of the upstate city, home to photo giant Eastman Kodak. He was first elected in 2005 after serving as police chief since 1998. The Rochester native joined the police department in 1976.
In tapping Duffy, Cuomo sought to address concerns that a potential successor be able to step in and run the state immediately. Then-Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson succeeded Eliot Spitzer in March 2008 after Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal. However, Paterson's tenure as governor has been rocky.
"In making this decision I had two criteria: First, could the person serve as governor of the State of New York? Second, has the person demonstrated competence, performance and integrity throughout their career?" Cuomo said in Manhattan. "Robert Duffy meets both of those standards resoundingly."
Duffy said he loved leading Rochester but felt the challenges facing New York demanded supporting Cuomo's agenda to overhaul Albany and revive the economy.
Duffy's selection helps balance Democrats' six-member statewide ticket by adding a second upstate resident. But the ticket probably will have no minorities.
Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. (D-Bronx) said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, who is African-American, "would have brought balance to the ticket." The last time Democrats fielded an all-white ticket was 1990 under Cuomo's father, Gov. Mario Cuomo.
Asked about the ticket's racial makeup, in a state with more than a third nonwhite voters, Cuomo said: "We strive for diversity everywhere. There's a certain amount of geographic diversity with Bob joining the ticket . . . My administration will be an administration that reflects diversity."
The state Democratic Convention nominated Duffy for lieutenant governor by acclamation after declared candidates withdrew. One of them, party activist Bill Samuels, vowed to collect signatures on petitions to put his name on the September primary ballot.
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