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Long Island congressman to enter New York Senate race
July 26, 1999 NEW YORK (AllPolitics, July 26) -- Rep. Rick Lazio, a four-term member of the House of Representatives, has decided to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. The race could pit him against first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is also considering mounting a run for the seat. Lazio is the first potential New York 2000 Senate candidate to make public his intention to run. Both New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, and Mrs. Clinton, a Democrat, have formed exploratory committees that are raising money for the contest. But neither Giuliani nor Clinton has committed to the race.
Lazio, a 41-year-old Republican who represents part of Long Island, revealed his plans in a letter sent over the weekend to all 62 of New York's GOP county chairmen. A copy was provided to CNN "I have made my decision -- I will be a candidate for the U.S. Senate," the letter says. Lazio says he will launch his campaign with an official announcement the week of August 16. Lazio writes in his letter, "It's clear to me that New Yorkers want a senator who cares about them and their problems, not someone who is interested in a stepping stone to higher office," an apparent jab at Giuliani and Clinton, who are thought to harbor presidential ambitions. In his letter, Lazio says he has raised "nearly $3.2 million" for his Senate run. The amount, which covers the period through June 30, will be made public in the required Federal Election Commission filing at the end of July. Lazio now faces the prospect of facing the better-known Giuliani in a Republican primary next September. The winner would presumably face Mrs. Clinton, who has no rivals so far *for the Democratic nomination. "The concept that a primary is divisive is a fallacy," says Lazio press secretary Mollie Conkey. "Look at Schumer." Sen. Charles Schumer endured a competitive Democratic primary in 1998, beating former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro and New York City Public Advocate Mark Green, before unseating incumbent Republican Sen. Al D'Amato. "The strongest Republican candidate will win and will beat Hillary Clinton," Conkey said. |
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MORE STORIES:Monday, July 26, 1999
• Senate takes up tax cuts • Judge allows damaging secret tape recordings at Cisneros trial • Would-be Reagan assassin cleared for daytrips • Long Island congressman to enter New York Senate race • Clinton walks in Moroccan funeral procession, meets other world leaders • House bill would increase time off for organ donations • Mrs. Clinton's run brings GOP money • State surpluses highest since 1980, survey shows • Springer contemplates Senate run • Clinton: Tentative trade pact is 'major step' toward normalizing ties with Vietnam • Goal of 100,000 new cops questioned • Not all governors onboard for 'National Admit You're Happy Day' • Donor-list flap has PBS in the soup • Emergencies are common budget plans • Aides help keep Bush on track • Candidates skeptical about gambling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
