State GOP convention pits Lazio against Levy

ALBANY

The state Republican Convention opens Tuesday in Manhattan with Long Islanders Rick Lazio and Steve Levy in a fierce struggle for the gubernatorial nomination.

For Levy, the Suffolk County executive, it's make or break. He must receive at least 25 percent of the convention delegate votes in Wednesday's first ballot to advance to the second ballot, where more than 50 percent secures a place in the September primary.

Levy's task is made more difficult because he only recently joined the GOP. Lazio, a lifelong member who represented Suffolk in Congress, needs just 25 percent on the first ballot to force a primary.

Lazio's candidacy was buoyed last week by the Conservative Party's endorsement, though he faces a Conservative primary challenge from a surrogate for Levy and Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino.

Republican delegates know that none of their party candidates for statewide office have beaten Democrats without Conservative backing since 1974.

Complicating the governor's race is last week's entry of Myers Mermel, a Manhattan real estate executive who had been running for lieutenant governor. He could doom Levy by drawing away votes, political experts said.

"Everybody's going to be watching to see whether Levy can get the 25 percent to force an additional vote, which could put him in a primary with Lazio," said David Catalfamo, a longtime aide to former Gov. George Pataki.

The gubernatorial nomination will dominate the three-day convention. But there's also uncertainty over who will challenge the Democratic incumbent senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Gillibrand, appointed to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton, once was seen as an easy mark. But GOP luminaries have declined to challenge her, so convention delegates are left to judge three virtual unknowns. They are Bruce Blakeman, the former Nassau County legislative chief; former Rep. Joseph DioGuardi of Westchester, who landed the Conservative nomination, and economist David Malpass. All likely will be placed on the primary ballot, experts said.

Those vying to unseat Schumer also aren't well known. Two are from Long Island: Nassau Comptroller George Maragos and Gary Berntsen, a former CIA agent from Smithtown. Political consultant Jay Townsend prevailed at the Conservative convention.

Asked about the field, GOP state chairman Edward Cox said, "George Pataki was an unknown going into the 1994 convention . . . and he beat the very well-known, three-term governor, Mario Cuomo."

Cox also said the expected primaries would raise recognition of the candidates.

Republicans have had mixed results from fractious conventions and primaries, however.

In 1986, the three non-incumbents on the GOP ticket, including Nassau's Peter King running for state attorney general, were trounced. Four years later, Cuomo clobbered unknown Pierre Rinfret. Then Pataki upset Cuomo in 1994 and Republicans occupied the Executive Mansion for 12 years.

If Republicans want to regain a toehold in state government, Marist College pollster Lee M. Miringoff said, they must direct widespread voter dissatisfaction toward Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Cuomo, the current attorney general. "Democratic candidates are leading in all the races. . . . Republicans have to change the dynamic."

Candidates for statewide offices

Delegates to the state Republican Convention in Manhattan will nominate candidates for six statewide offices.

Here are some of the declared candidates:

Governor

Rick Lazio, former congressman from Suffolk*

Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive

M. Myers Mermel, Manhattan real estate executive

Carl Paladino, Buffalo real estate developer

Warren Redlich, Albany-area attorney**

Lt. Governor***

Greg Edwards, Chautauqua County Executive*

Attorney General

Dan Donovan, Staten Island District Attorney*

Bob Antonacci, Onondaga County Comptroller

State Comptroller

Harry Wilson, former hedge fund manager from Scarsdale*

U.S. Senate

(Full six-year term vs. incumbent Democrat Charles Schumer)

Gary Berntsen, former CIA officer, author and Smithtown native

George Maragos, Nassau County Comptroller

Jim Staudenraus, small business owner from Shelter Island

Jay Townsend, political consultant from Cornwall-on-Hudson*

U.S. Senate

(two-year term vs. incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand)

Bruce Blakeman, former presiding officer of Nassau County Legislature

Joseph DioGuardi, former congressman from Westchester County*

David Malpass, economist

NOTES: *Received the Conservative Party nomination; **Redlich already has the Libertarian Party nomination; ***Levy, Mermel and Paladino have yet to announce their lieutenant governor running mates

Key events at the State Republican Committee's convention:

TUESDAY Hundreds of delegates convene at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in midtown. Nominations and votes for state comptroller and U.S. Senate (full term) take place throughout the day.

WEDNESDAY Nominations and votes for governor and state attorney general followed by gala dinner with speeches by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) and others.

THURSDAY Nominations and votes for U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor. Adjournment at 3 p.m.