ALBANY—It's official: Rick Lazio is going for it.
The Long Island Republican, who, it was reported today, has taken leave from his position at J.P. Morgan, will officially announce his campaign for governor next Monday in Albany, then embark around the state. He would be the first Republican to announce formally; other candidates mentioned are Chris Collins, the Erie County executive, and former mayor Rudy Giuliani.
"The present Government in Albany is broken," Lazio said in a statement. "It is too dysfunctional to continue in its present form. We need sweeping change and reform that means starting from the beginning and building a new government. I plan on making my campaign about the people of New York. The politicians of Albany have failed to give us the government we need. We cannot afford to view the important issues of the day through the prism of the status quo. We must rebuild from the bottom up so our children and our children's children can live the American Dream. With the people's help, that is exactly what I plan to do."
