By MICHAEL GORMLEY
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Conservative Democrat Steve Levy opened up a fight for the Republican nomination for governor Tuesday after meeting with about 20 GOP leaders as he considers a run across party lines.
"They have to have a comfort level that my fiscal conservatism is the real deal," said Levy, a Suffolk County executive. "I told them, 'Don't support me because you think I might have the best chance to win. Support me only if you think I will be the guy to revolutionize this state and turn it upside-down."
He said he was encouraged by the meeting and he knows he's headed to a clash with Albany's powerful special interest groups, including teachers' unions and hospitals. He said he will announce soon whether he will run for governor and which party endorsement he will seek.
"I come into this writing those special interests off," he said. "I don't want their vote. I'm looking for the 80 percent in the middle."
That's also been the target for former Congressman Rick Lazio, who has been the presumptive Republican candidate for governor. Since September, he has run on a platform of fiscal conservatism. He has already gained the support of most county GOP leaders and many Conservative Party leaders.
Levy, who is better funded than Lazio at this point, has the benefit of attracting both major parties' endorsements as well as minor parties' endorsements in his re-election bids. But he's also angered some Republicans who see the potential for strong GOP gains after wins last fall in New York in local elections and the shocking win of a U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts in January that had been held for decades by Democratic icon Edward M. Kennedy.
Democrats have nearly a two-to-one enrollment advantage over Democrats in New York.
"We have no idea why any Republican would want a (Democratic Assembly Speaker) Shelly Silver supporter to represent our party," said Lazio spokesman Barney Keller. "It's ridiculous and an insult to all those who believe in responsible, efficient, and effective government."
Tioga County GOP Chairman Don J. Leonard issued a statement saying he won't support Levy. Lazio will "reverse the insanity" and disaster Democrats brought to Albany, Leonard said.
Polls show that Democrat Andrew Cuomo, the attorney general, is far ahead of Lazio and Levy in the polls. In their Jan. 15 filings, Cuomo reported $16.1 million on hand, Lazio had $1.4 million and Levy had $4 million.
