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Shop NowDoes a Republican candidate stand any chance of becoming the next governor of New York? Probably not, but a candidate pouring $12 million of his own money into the race will have a better chance than most. Businessman Harry Wilson has announced that he is pursuing the GOP nomination in the state’s gubernatorial race and that he hopes to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in the November general election.
Republican hopes to challenge Hochul
Any Republican hoping to become New York’s next governor in November has chosen a good year for it; Republicans are expected to do well nationwide thanks to President Biden’s unpopularity.
New York Democrats are also still tainted by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s legacy. Cuomo resigned last year following a sexual harassment scandal, leaving Kathy Hochul to take his place.
Republican Harry Wilson worked for Blackstone Group and Goldman Sachs before serving in several roles under the Obama administration.
Wilson’s campaign for governor is heavily focused on his business experience so far, and lowering taxes appears to be a key issue.
As a businessman, Wilson has plenty of money to spend on his own campaign. His initial $12 million might allow him to catch up to competitors who have already been fundraising and advertising their candidacies.
As a business conservative and a moderate-leaning candidate, Wilson will hope to represent a wing of the party in New York which has not embraced the candidate of the Trump faction.
Candidates face criticism for past endorsements
Representative Lee Zeldin, a Trump ally, is the leading candidate in the race currently and will most likely win the Republican nomination, unless Wilson can exceed expectations.
Zeldin isn’t without critics, however. A 2011 video which has resurfaced shows Zeldin praising then-Governor Andrew Cuomo and suggesting that he would be a great president.
The frontrunner has since defended himself by claiming that his comments at the time only meant that he thought Cuomo would make a better president than Barack Obama, but his opponents continue to attack the comment.
Harry Wilson also faces criticism for his past endorsements, including a donation to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who has refused to prosecute some criminals.
Wilson attempted to preempt some of that criticism in announcing that a focus of his campaign would be ensuring that district attorneys enforce the law.
It may be too late for any of the other candidates to prevent Lee Zeldin from taking the Republican nomination, but if anything can do it, $12 million is a good start.
