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Cuomo Facing Many Potential GOP Challengers, Including Molinaro

If Dutchess County Executive Republican Marc Molinaro wants to challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-New Castle) as he runs for a third term, he'll have to get in line.

Marc Molinaro

Marc Molinaro

Photo Credit: Dutchess County Government

Molinaro is one of several challengers considering a run against the governor with election day less than a year away. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who ran against Cuomo in 2014, said he is unlikely to run after he lost re-election last month.

Other potential challengers include Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse), Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Finger Lakes) and Harry Wilson, a Scarsdale financier. Wilson is considered a strong challenger since he has pledged to $10 million of his own money to take on Cuomo, a prodigious fundraiser.

Molinaro said he plans to decide at the end of the year whether to challenge Cuomo, but has been touring the state seeking to generate support. In October, Molinaro said he would consider running with Kolb.

Cuomo could also face a primary challenge from Terry Gipson, a former state senator who represented Putnam and Dutchess.

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