The Albany County GOP, whose chairman, John Graziano, initially supported Suffolk County Steve Levy for governor and voted in favor of a primary at the convention last week, will feature gubernatorial designee Rick Lazio at a “meet the candidates” fundraiser later this month.

Graziano’s backing of Levy grew mushy as the convention drew near and it became increasingly clear the party-flipping county executive wouldn’t likely have sufficient support for a Wilson Pakula and thus wouldn’t get onto the ballot.

At the convention, Graziano split the baby, voting for Lazio in the first round of voting and then in favor of granting Levy the Wilson Pakula in the second.

The June 21 event, which costs $60 per person and $100 per couple, will be held at the Desmond Hotel in Colonie. Lazio will deliver “special remarks,” according to the invite.

The night is being held to highlight the GOP’s “2010 Team,” which, in this case includes Lazio, Bruce Blakeman (US Senate), Harry Wilson (state comptroller), Dan Donovan (AG), Ted Danz (Congress), and several state legislative and judicial contenders.

It’s interesting that the Albany Republicans are picking favorites (although I guess they did at the convention, too), since there’s a primary in at least one of those races (US Senate). Party spokesman Dan Farrell said another US Senate candidate (against Sen Chuck Schumer) Gary Berntsen can’t make it because he’ll be at an event for Iraq War veterans.

UPDATE: Farrell e-mailed the following “point of order”:

“Our line-up is comprised of the official Republican Party designees for each office. Blakeman and Berntsen both scored over 50 percent at the convention and were therefore named the party’s designated candidates.”

“Other candidates may have received enough support to qualify to run in a primary but the party rules afford the title of designee only to those candidate that surpass 50.1 percent of the vote.

“That said, each of the statewide candidates invited also received our support at the convention.”

Albany GOP MTC Invite

Share|