Developer Paladino launches bid for governor

BUFFALO - Buffalo real estate developer Carl Paladino shouted "Are you mad as hell?" to cheering supporters as he launched his campaign for New York governor Monday.

"Career politicians interested only in their own re-election have systematically destroyed the underpinnings of our economic growth," he told a crowd of supporters. "Our businesses can't compete. Enough is enough."

The outspoken businessman says he'll spend up to $10 million of his own money for the chance to shake things up in Albany.

He plans to petition his way onto the Republican primary ballot and has talked about creating a tea party line in the general election.

His platform includes cutting taxes by 10 percent, closing the state's borders to welfare recipients and freezing all state and local government and school district wages. He also says he'd cut the budget across the board if necessary and overhaul education spending.

Paladino faces competition from former Rep. Rick Lazio and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, a Democrat seeking the Republican nomination.

Even before Paladino had finished announcing his gubernatorial campaign, Levy criticized him for offering "very little in terms of policy or solutions."

Levy also criticized Paladino for giving campaign contributions to Democrats Charles Schumer, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Eliot Spitzer. Both Paladino and Levy are Democrats turned Republicans.

Levy also accused Paladino of hypocrisy for criticizing Albany despite receiving $85 million in rent from state agencies for office space in his buildings.

"Simply saying, 'I'm mad as hell," and being a millionaire does not qualify somebody to be governor," Levy said in a statement, referring to Paladino's trademark phrase. "We need solutions, not sound bites."

At his Buffalo announcement, Paladino said of Levy, "I didn't change my party registration to be a Republican just yesterday because I needed a place to run for governor."

Staff and wire reports