NEW PALTZ – Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo got a big boost at a campaign rally in New Paltz Tuesday when seven prominent local Republicans announced their support for him over fellow Republican Rick Lazio.

Former County GOP Chairman Al Spada, Marlborough Town Supervisor Chris Cerone, Rochester Town Supervisor Carl Chipman, Saugerties Councilman James Bruno, Ulster Town Councilman Eric Kitchen, Town of Ulster Clerk Jason Cosenza and former county legislator Fawn Tantillo all said they support Cuomo and his agenda.

Cuomo has been campaigning in a number of Hudson Valley locations since last week and at each, he talks up his “New New York” agenda for government accountability and fiscal conservatism in these tough economic times.

Ulster County Democratic Party Chairman Julian Schreibman said Cuomo has done a good job as attorney. “He’s very popular and has put out a very bold agenda.”

Despite the anti-incumbency and anti-Democratic Party sentiment on the state and national levels of late, Schreibman doesn’t believe Cuomo will be dragged down.

First of all, the chairman noted, Cuomo is not the incumbent government.

“Gubernatorial candidates have worked hard and campaigned on changing Albany in the past; we know that,” he said. “But, Andrew has a record that resonates and hopefully he will be the one to really get it done, and I think that’s what people respond to.”

During his stump speeches, Cuomo refers to the currently dysfunctional state government which he pledges to correct.
Cuomo will face Republican Rick Lazio in the November election.