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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Westchester County Executive and Republican gubernatorial nominee Rob Astorino showed a different side to his squeaky-clean facade in his video, "Bad Astorino."
The video, which was filmed as a farcical rebuttal for the NY Legislative Correspondents Association dinner on June 10, shows the Thornwood native engaging in wholesome activities, including, but not limited to: showing up late to empty press conferences, day drinking, smoking, arguing with his wife and talking with his mouth full.
"I'm running for governor," he yells with his mouth full of donut. "I'm trying to save this state."
Accompanying Astorino in the video are his wife, children, and longtime friends and associates of his -- including sportscaster Michael Kay, Cardinal Edward Egan and members of his campaign staff.
The video, while mostly intended for as a joke, did not come without its select jabs at rival Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
In one scene, Astorino's wife, Sheila, complains that she wishes she had a kitchen like Sandra Lee, Cuomo's girlfriend.
"Do you know how much this stuff costs, you gotta get permits for that," Astorino says, to which his wife retorts, "Permits? Who needs permits? You think Sandra Lee got permits?"
Campaign spokeswoman Jessica Proud said the jab was meant to call attention to Cuomo's New Castle home, which has undergone extensive kitchen renovations without obtaining necessary permits and tax valuation.
This, according to a report by Lohud.com, may have allowed Lee to pay $8,200 less in property taxes than normal. Read the full LoHud article here.
Proud said an assessor who visited the $1.2 million home which Lee has dubbed "Lily Pond," in a number of interviews was not allowed inside the property, and had to perform an assessment on the exterior alone.
"(Astorino) has called on Cuomo to let the assessor into the home," she said. "People in New York have the right to know if he's paying their fair share of taxes. What are they hiding? Why won't they open the door?"
Proud said while the video is not a formal campaign video for the public, Astorino's staff is happy to share it and hope it makes Astorino more relatable and appealing to New York voters.
"It shows a human side to him, that he's willing to have fun and not take himself too seriously," she said.
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