News/Campaigns

Report: Cornyn Approached Pataki About Sen. Run

National Republicans approached former three-term New York Gov. George Pataki to run for the Senate in 2010, the Associated Press reported Thursday afternoon.

The report, citing anonymous sources, confirmed there was a meeting between the three-term New York governor and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, discussing the idea.

The source in the story says Pataki has not yet decided whether to run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who Gov. David Paterson appointed to replace Hillary Clinton when she was confirmed as President Barack Obama’s Secretary of State.

Neither Pataki nor the NRSC commented to the AP.

The NRSC did not immediately return a phone call seeking confirmation of the AP report.

Samuel Rubenfeld