WEST SENECA, NY (WKBW) — “There is one rumor that I’d like to confirm, I’m running for governor and we will win,” quipped Governor David Paterson as he made a campaign speech to about 200 people at Christe’s Banquet Hall in West Seneca on Sunday.
The Governor was referring to the recent article in the New York Times that called Paterson increasingly detached from his job and questioned his delayed response to Flight 3407.
Paterson slammed the article calling it election year politics fueled by special interests.
“The reality is that these type of fallacious attacks are coming right in the middle of the budget process when a lot of special interests have a lot to loose and and right in the beginning of the campaign when other candidates will do anything to win,” said Paterson.
The Governor went on to outline some of the difficult decisions he’s had to make in the last two years and the lack of support he’s gotten from Republican lawmakers in Albany.
Paterson also defended his proposal to delay payment of state income tax refunds and plan to close some state parks including several in upstate New York. Paterson said at least New York has not had to resort to some of the measures taken in other states facing a similar crisis, like furloughing workers or cutting back the school week.
The Governor is asking voters to reject special interests and vote him back in to office.
“If your looking for a democratic candidate who champions the democratic values and has won unprecedented victories in spite of relentless opposition then let the special interests know that the governor of new york is putting the people first,” said Paterson.
Paterson is expected to be challenged in the primary by State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Polls show Cuomo with a wide lead over Paterson.
Former Long Island Congressman Rick Lazio is, so far, the only republican running for governor this year