Congressman may challenge Giuliani for GOP Senate nod

April 1, 2000
Web posted at: 11:04 p.m. EST (0404 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

NEW YORK -- Mayor Rudolph Giuliani may face opposition from within his own Republican Party in his expected bid for the GOP nomination for New York's open U.S. Senate seat.

Rep. Rick Lazio, R-New York, on Sunday renewed his attempt to snatch party backing in the race from Giuliani, who has not yet officially declared his candidacy, but has raised money and made campaign-like speeches.

"What I'm prepared to say is we're less likely to win, relative to myself or maybe even another candidate who can bring the party together," Lazio said appearing on ABC's "This Week."

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is an announced candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat.

'Potentially blowing this race'

"We are in the process of potentially blowing this race," Lazio said. "Hillary Rodham Clinton's numbers are moving up. More importantly, the mayor's numbers are collapsing." But Lazio stopped short of saying Giuliani can't win.

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Polls show the close race between Giuliani and Clinton has grown tighter after Giuliani announced his support for police in the recent fatal shooting of unarmed black man Patrick Dorismond. Giuliani was criticized by foes and supporters alike for releasing Dorismond's sealed juvenile arrest record and portraying him as an aggressive troublemaker.

The polls showed Giuliani in a statistical dead heat with Clinton seven months before the November election.

'I am ready to run'

"I am ready to run," Lazio said. "If I can make a fair case to the public in New York, to the Republicans in New York, to get the nomination, I will be back in this race." Lazio urged New York Gov. George Pataki to send signals that would open up the Republican Party nomination before the GOP's May 30 nomination meeting.

Although a GOP primary election would be held in September if necessary, Lazio said he would withdraw if the party convention endorses Giuliani.

The four-term congressman mounted a Senate bid last August but suspended his campaign at the urging of Pataki, who supports Giuliani. Pataki's office showed no signs Sunday that the governor is shifting his alliance.

"The governor strongly supports Mayor Giuliani and looks forward to beating Hillary Clinton in November," said Pataki spokeswoman Suzanne Morris.

Giuliani campaign spokesman Bruce Teitelbaum issued a brief statement responding to Lazio's remarks: "Congressman Lazio said nothing new today."

For her part, Clinton's campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson said, "It is yet another sign of the deep concern that Republicans across the state have about Rudy Giuliani's ability to be effective in the Senate."

Giuliani, elected to City Hall in 1994, cannot run for a third term. Clinton is the first wife of a sitting U.S. president to run for national office.

The New York seat is being vacated because Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan is retiring.