Andrew Giuliani planning run for New York governor

Andrew Giuliani, the son of Rudy Giuliani and a former staffer for then-President Trump, said he intends to run for governor of New York next year as Republicans seek an upset victory in the state amid a slew of scandals facing Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).

“I plan to run,” Giuliani told the conservative-leaning Washington Examiner. He maintained he stood a good chance of unseating a “wounded” Cuomo.

“Outside of anybody named Trump, I think I have the best chance to win and take the state back, and I think there’s an opportunity in 2022 with a wounded Democratic candidate, whether it’s going to be Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo, whether it’s going to be a radical [Attorney General] Letitia James, whether it’s going to be a no-name lieutenant governor, I think there’s a very, very real chance to win,” he said, referencing James, who has emerged as a top GOP antagonist. 

“I believe I can win the race,” Giuliania added. “I think I’m the right candidate, and this is the right time to help change New York State, and we’ve got a playbook that works.” 

Giuliani told the Examiner he plans on formally launching his campaign later this month after a meeting with the New York State Republican Committee. He also said Trump has been advising him, though he noted the former president has yet to declare which candidate he’ll support. 

Giuliani, who also works as a political commentator on the conservative outlet Newsmax, has close ties to Trump, a relationship that could endear him to the Republican base but could prove toxic in a general election in a state the former president lost by more than 23 points in November. 

Republicans overall have struggled to make headway in the Empire State in recent years. The party has not won a gubernatorial contest since 2002 or any statewide office in 15 years. Democrats also hold supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

But Republicans say 2022 may mark their best shot at unseating Cuomo should he seek a fourth term.

The governor has come under withering criticism over sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by a number of women. He’s also facing a growing furor over revelations his office intentionally undercounted the number of coronavirus deaths in New York nursing homes.

James is heading up an investigation into the sexual misconduct claims against him, and the state Assembly is conducting an impeachment inquiry into Cuomo, a sign of the governor’s deteriorating support in the state legislature.

Giuliani, 35, is not the only former Trump aide to mull statewide office. Sarah Sanders, a former White House press secretary, is running for Arkansas governor, and Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law who worked on his campaign, is considering a Senate run in North Carolina.