Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, will not be running for office next year and instead will focus on his law and consulting business endeavours. “We have some pretty significant commitments next year that will really make it impossible for me to run full-time for office”, said Giuliani during a news conference on Tuesday, where he endorsed ex-congressman Rick Lazio for governor.
Giuliani had initially planned to run for the Senate against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand and in the gubernatorial race against Democrat Gov. David Paterson.
“At different times, I thought I might do it”, Giuliani said, “it just isn’t the right time”. But running for office later in the future is not out of the question. “It’s a decision purely about 2010″, he added. “I have no idea whether I’ll run for something else”.
Giuliani sees potential GOP candidates to run as Senator or Governor. “And I want to start out by endorsing one, Rick Lazio for governor”, he said. During the 2000 Senate race, Lazio replaced Giuliani, who withdrew due to prostate cancer and a publicised marriage breakup. Giuliani also sees ex-Gov. George Pataki and US Rep. Pete King as strong contenders for the Senate post.
Republican King sees potential in Lazio but considers Giuliani as the strongest opponent for Paterson. “He had 100 percent name recognition and he’s a leader at a time when people are really questioning Democrats”, said King. “Rudy would be best”.
