Rob Astorino Will Run For NY Governor A Second Time

HUDSON VALLEY, NY —Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has announced that he will officially run for Governor of New York State.

The former two-term county executive said he is the candidate best equipped to not only win the general election in 2022, but also to implement the reforms he believes are needed to rescue and rebuild the state.

SEE ALSO: Astorino: 'Things Need to Change in Albany'

“I’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support from grassroots activists, donors and just regular people I see at the diner or hear from on social media — all encouraging me to run,” Astorino said in a statement announcing his gubernatorial bid. “The conversation is often the same — ‘I love New York but I have one foot out the door. I don’t know how much more I can take. We need to get rid of this guy and save our state. Please run.’”

Astorino won the Republican nomination and ran for governor in 2014, but was defeated by incumbent Andrew Cuomo. Astorino said he believes should Cuomo seek reelection, he will be more vulnerable this time around. He said that while everyone is now eager to call out what he refers to as “Cuomo’s corruption and incompetence," Astorino was a relatively lonely voice doing so during the 2014 contest.

SEE ALSO: New York Election 2014 Results: Gov. Cuomo Wins Big over Astorino

“Cuomo was under federal investigation then, he had scandals then, we were falling behind the rest of the country then, but not everyone was ready to accept what was right in front of them — even some top elected Republicans supported Cuomo openly or secretly,” Astorino said. “Predictably, New York is in a worse situation today.”