ALBANY—Former representative Rick Lazio has formed a campaign committee to explore a run for governor in 2010. He's the first of the potential Republican candidates to do so.
Records with the State Board of Elections show the formation of Lazio 2010, Inc. last week. Lazio has also hired Barney Keller, formerly a spokesman for the Massachusetts Republican Party, to work on his campaign.
Lazio, who is probably most widely known for for losing to Hillary Clinton in 2000, said last week that this time he is not waiting for Rudy Giuliani to make a decision about the governor's race. Lazio has been shoring up support with, among other groups, members of the Conservative Party, appearing earlier this month at a dinner in Rochester.
Other potential Republican candidates for governor are attorney Ed Cox and Erie County Executive Chris Collins.
UPDATE: I missed this post by Liz, which has more details about Lazio's committee.
