New York: Gillibrand Hypes Possible Pataki Run To Raise Cash
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is pleading for supporters to “rush” donations to the campaign before the end of the month, invoking the threat of a challenge by former Republican Gov. George Pataki . But there is little indication that Pataki is “seriously considering a run,” as the campaign says in its e-mail.
Albany’s WNYT station reported on Monday that Pataki, is “mulling over requests by Republicans to run against” Gillibrand. The station referred to an AP story from over the weekend that noted the former governor, who served three terms between 1995 and 2006, had been approached by Republicans about running. Indeed, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has been open about wanting Pataki to run, first meeting with him back in February, but Pataki, himself, has not made any moves to mount a campaign.
And several Republican and New York-based sources CQ has spoken to believe it is unlikely that Pataki will, in the end, decide to challenge the incumbent, who was appointed in January to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton.
To her supporters, Gillibrand’s campaign insists that meeting its goal of raising $100,000 before the quarterly reporting deadline on June 30 “is essential to keep Gov. Pataki out of the race.” But it may well take a lot less to keep Pataki from running.
