Astorino Courts Upstate Voters for Possible Run at Governor

Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino made the rounds at an Erie County GOP  Fundraiser Wednesday, according to a report by the Buffalo News.

The distance from White Plains to Buffalo is about 370 miles-a little more than a mile for each day between now and the 2014 general election, but Astorino will need the unifying support of Republicans up and down state in order to have a shot at Cuomo’s seat.

Astorino told the Buffalo News that he would challenge Cuomo’s economic development strategy if he ran.

“It’s hard for him to make the case that we’re making progress when we’re still 50th in the U.S. in business climate,” Astorino said during the interview.

Astorino also said that he planned to reach out to Buffalo businessman Carl P. Paladino, the Republican candidate in the 2010 governor’s race.

Paladino said that  he would consider a run for governor on the Conservative line if he isn’t satisfied with the Republican candidate and the state GOP didn’t make changes in its leadership. Such a move could weaken the party as it readies for next year.

“As Carl gets to know who I am and what I’ve done in Westchester – a 2-to-1 Democratic county – he’ll see I absolutely govern as a conservative,” Astorino told the Buffalo News.

Donald Trump commented on Astorino’s visit to Buffalo earlier today with this tweet: “I like Rob Astorino. He's a friend and really good guy. Sadly, he has ZERO chance of beating Cuomo and the 2 to 1 Dems for governor!”

Trump  followed that by tweeting:”New York Republican leader @EdwardFCox is pushing my friend @RobAstorino into political suicide. Results won’t be pleasant!”

Trump also added that he would win if he ran.

It will be a long road for whoever the candidate is, according to a Marist poll released last month.

• Against State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, Cuomo would garner 64 percent of the registered vote while McLaughlin would receive 24 percent, with  12 percent undecided.

• Against Astorino, 65 percent would back Cuomo compared with 23 percent for Rob Astorino. and 12 percent  undecided.

• If Cuomo were to face off in a rematch against Carl Paladino,  67 percent  would back Cuomo and 24 percent would back  Paladino.  Nine percent are undecided.