Astorino “Leaning Towards” Challenging Cuomo

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino is getting closer to launching a bid for governor.

During an interview at WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now studio, the 46-year-old Republican said he's "leaning towards" running. He said he expected to make a decision in "45 to 60 days."

Astorino has been meeting with party leaders around the state to secure their backing for a possible campaign against Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. He said he wants to make sure "the building blocks are there" before he decides whether to run.

Astorino said New York needs "to attract businesses in a real way. Not through gimmicks. Not through picking and choosing winners."

With the November election approaching, Astorino said Cuomo is "like Santa Claus doing a U-turn and trying to hand out gifts to everybody." Astorino said "that is what got the state in the mess it's in in the first place."

Astorino made it clear he supports high-volume hyrdraulic fracturing in New York. He said the moratorium on fracking "will end immediately" if he becomes governor. He said "we'll get serious about moving forward."

Astorino indicated his wife is supportive of a campaign. If he chooses to challenge Cuomo, he said they'd "make it kind of an adventure with the kids." He said he'd look forward to visiting the different parts of New York with his three young children. He said "it would give us a chance to see the state together." He suggested it would be "a lot of fun."