Former U.S. Attorney Michael A. Battle and Assemblywoman Jane L. Corwin are among those with Western New York ties contacted in recent days about running for lieutenant governor this year on the Republican ticket.
Several sources closely associated with the process say the campaign of Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive expected to challenge incumbent Democrat Andrew M. Cuomo, is exploring the idea of a running mate with ties to Western New York. All of the sources say Corwin has turned down the Astorino campaign, despite what was described as a high-intensity effort to lure the Clarence assemblywoman into the race.
“They put full-court pressure on Jane,” said one Republican source familiar with the situation.
Corwin had been viewed in some quarters as a potential candidate who would balance the ticket as an upstate woman with considerable financial resources of her own. But Corwin sources say she is unwilling to forfeit an Assembly career recently marked by steady advance through the Republican ranks.
Battle, a former Erie County Family Court judge who also held top Department of Justice posts in Washington, is also entering the mix. The first African-American to serve as U.S. attorney for Western New York, he now maintains a private practice in New York City.
“I would not be surprised if he were asked because of his qualifications,” said another Republican with knowledge of the discussions.
While local Republicans with ties to the former judge and prosecutor say they have received no indications Battle will join the ticket, they also said they could not rule out such a possibility.
“You never know,” said one Battle confidante, “but I would be surprised.”
Battle did not return several calls seeking comment.
The moves to complete the GOP ticket, facing an uphill effort this fall in heavily Democratic New York, have entered their final stages in recent days as the Republican Party prepares for its state convention in Westchester County on May 14-15. Who will serve as Astorino’s running mate is a major question.
John P. Cahill is expected to soon officially announce for attorney general following a swing through Western New York that ended Friday.
Meanwhile, the name most mentioned in recent days for state comptroller is Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci, though Republican sources say his candidacy is not yet a sure thing.
email: rmccarthy@buffnews.com
Several sources closely associated with the process say the campaign of Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive expected to challenge incumbent Democrat Andrew M. Cuomo, is exploring the idea of a running mate with ties to Western New York. All of the sources say Corwin has turned down the Astorino campaign, despite what was described as a high-intensity effort to lure the Clarence assemblywoman into the race.
“They put full-court pressure on Jane,” said one Republican source familiar with the situation.
Corwin had been viewed in some quarters as a potential candidate who would balance the ticket as an upstate woman with considerable financial resources of her own. But Corwin sources say she is unwilling to forfeit an Assembly career recently marked by steady advance through the Republican ranks.
Battle, a former Erie County Family Court judge who also held top Department of Justice posts in Washington, is also entering the mix. The first African-American to serve as U.S. attorney for Western New York, he now maintains a private practice in New York City.
“I would not be surprised if he were asked because of his qualifications,” said another Republican with knowledge of the discussions.
While local Republicans with ties to the former judge and prosecutor say they have received no indications Battle will join the ticket, they also said they could not rule out such a possibility.
“You never know,” said one Battle confidante, “but I would be surprised.”
Battle did not return several calls seeking comment.
The moves to complete the GOP ticket, facing an uphill effort this fall in heavily Democratic New York, have entered their final stages in recent days as the Republican Party prepares for its state convention in Westchester County on May 14-15. Who will serve as Astorino’s running mate is a major question.
John P. Cahill is expected to soon officially announce for attorney general following a swing through Western New York that ended Friday.
Meanwhile, the name most mentioned in recent days for state comptroller is Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci, though Republican sources say his candidacy is not yet a sure thing.
email: rmccarthy@buffnews.com