New York – On the eve of the state Democratic convention, gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo announced that former Republican officials will reaching out to the GOP on his behalf.
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The campaigning attorney general announced that former New York Republican State Party Chair Patrick Barrett, former State Senator Michael Balboni, Republican fundraiser Julia Koch and Michael McKeon, a former aide to then-Governor George Pataki, will spearhead efforts to reach out to the GOP.
Since launching his campaign over the weekend, Cuomo has emphasized reaching out to Republicans and independent voters, saying he wants to focus on rebuilding Albany.
“I am not politician-focused, I am people-focused,” said Cuomo in an interview with Talk 1300 this morning. “And I think, as I said, use the moment to educate, organize, mobilize. I think it’s really an effort to organize all people. I don’t think see it as a Democratic or Republican, hyper-partisan situation.”
Right before the Democratic convention is set to begin in Rye Brook, N.Y., new poll numbers show Cuomo dominating the race for governor.
Earlier this month, before the attorney general even announced his candidacy, the Siena Research Institute found that 67 percent of respondents said they had a favorable opinion of Cuomo.
Only 31 percent of respondents had a favorable opinion of Republican candidate Rick Lazio and 21 percent of respondents had a favorable opinion of Republican candidate Steve Levy.
Republican candidate Carl Paladino trailed behind, with just 15 percent of respondents saying they had a favorable opinion of him.
In a hypothetical race between the two, the race found Cuomo would top Lazio by 66 to 24 percent, with 10 percent undecided.
In a match against Levy, Cuomo would win 65 to 22 percent, with 13 percent undecided.
The study placed calls to 905 state registered voters, and has a +/- 3.3 percent margin of error.