Lazio Out

The rumors are true. Rick Lazio will be dropping out of the race for Governor today. However, he may still appear on the ballot in November.

According to election law in the State of New York, there are three ways for his name to be removed as the Conservative Party's nominee for Governor: he dies, he moves out of New York State, or he gets nominated for a judgeship (the deadline, for which, I should add, is today).

Due to Paladino's use of "hateful rhetoric," Mike Long, the Chairman of the New York Conservative Party, does not want a Paladino win (source: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/09/rick-lazio-out-of-governors-ra.html).

Provided that Lazio's name was removed from the Conservative Party line today, Paladino has 1 day (deadline: tomorrow 9/28/2010) to get the Conservative Party's nomination (source: http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/law/2010OfficialPoliticalCalendar.pdf). I mention this because no Republican has won any statewide office without the endorsement of the Conservative Party of New York.

To all of you, I suggest you follow the news closely for the next 36 hours to see if there will be any political game changers.


Update (12:29 PM): The Bronx County Republican Chairman Jay Savino has announced that Rick Lazio will be nominated for a judgeship tonight. In other words, Lazio will be out of the race for Governor following tonight's proceedings.

Update (12:37 PM): Rick Lazio has announced that he will not endorse Carl Paladino for Governor

Update (1:08 PM): Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long has said he will recommend to party leaders that Carl Paladino receive the party's nomination.