Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino isn’t buying into the Donald Trump-fueled hype that the real estate tycoon has enough support already to claim the GOP nomination for governor.
Astorino, during an Albany radio interview Wednesday, claimed he has the backing of “at the very least a majority of the Republican Party” and scoffed at claims by Trump and his backers that Trump would have at least 60% of the vote in a GOP convention.
“Not even close,” Astorino said of Trump’s supposed backing.
Trump’s 60% claim surfaced after he met last week with more than two-dozen GOP county chairmen from around New York. The GOP leaders represented almost 60% of the Republicans in the state.
“Many of the chairs who were there went for the curiosity of it, just to ask Donald Trump if he is running or not and if so to force him to make a decision, which he hasn’t,” Astorino said. “Most of them called us up afterward and said we’re supporting you.”
Trump has repeatedly said he is seriously considering a run for governor but wants party leaders to clear the field for him before enters the race. Many critics believe Trump is just using the situation to garner publicity.
“Anyone can play with numbers,” Astorino said. “That is why we have a convention. That’s why we have a process.”
Astorino, however, stopped short of announcing his own candidacy for governor, saying he would announce a decision “very soon.” He added that he has not yet received the financial commitments necessary to run an effective campaign.
“I don’t think that’s the case yet,” Astorino said. “I think that’s part of my due diligence in making the decision. But certainly in the initial reactions I’m getting from people all around the state is ‘yeah, I want to help.'”
Still, Astorino sounded very much like a candidate as he hammered away at Gov. Cuomo’s economic record, especially the recent decision by Remington Arms to open a new factory in Alabama.
“They resort to tens of millions of dollars in advertising on quote start up New York and (Cuomo) just started up Alabama,” Alabama said. “And this is what we are seeing throughout this state.”
Astorino also slammed Cuomo’s recent proposal to provide college instruction to prison inmates.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the 529 college plan that I am saving for, for my kids wasn’t necessary,” Astorino said. “All they have to do know is commit a felony and New York State will pay for their education thanks to the governor’s new proposal.”
UPDATE – In a session with the Capitol press corps, Astorino said he was confident he’d have enough money to run for governor. He also re-iterated that it was time for Donald Trump to make his intentions clear.
“Donald Trump wants to run – run. Start going around the state, there’s 62 counties, just in case he wasn’t aware. And he should be meeting people of all political stripes just like I am…It is a big state, not just 5th Avenue.”
Astorino added: “This circus stuff has got to come to an end and he’s got to just say if he’s running or not.”
On the money front, Astorino indicated that it was merely a matter of time and effort before the money for a campaign materializes
“I don’t have doubts,” he said. “I think if we decide to run, it’s going to be because the commitments are there and I’m feeling very strong that the commitments are going to be there.”
UPDATE 2 – Trump Counsel Michael Cohen is pushing back against Astorino’s claims.
“Nobody asked him for his opinion,” Cohem said. “Mr. Trump has made it clear that if the Republican Party will unite and make him the nominee, he would run. He would run, invest his time energy and significant wealth to defeat Cuomo.”
Cohen said he has personally spoken to more than 70% of the weighted GOP leadership who have pledged their support to Trump. He accused Astorino of trying to create media hype “off the back of” Trump.
“I think Donald Trump has been traveling the state to the same, if not greater extent than Mr. Astorino has,” Cohen said. “Certainly more people come out to see Mr. Trump at these events than Rob Astorino.”
