Rudy Giuliani isn’t going to run for governor in 2010, avoiding a potentially bruising election fight against Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, several sources said yesterday.
And while he’s left the door open to running for US Senate against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, many people close to him said they considered such a run unlikely, despite a report claiming he had made up his mind and would announce for that race within 48 hours.
“Rudy is not running for governor,” a Giuliani confidant insisted, saying it wasn’t in doubt.
But Giuliani aides strongly denied he had told anyone he wasn’t running for governor.
Giuliani adviser Jake Menges said it was “not true,” while spokeswoman Maria Comella said: “Rudy has a history of making up his own mind and has no problem speaking it. When Mayor Giuliani makes a decision about serving in public office, he will inform New Yorkers on his own.”
Several Giuliani insiders suggested it was false rumors being spread to try to force his hand.
The developments came during a week in which Giuliani dominated cable-TV news as a GOP attack dog slamming the Obama administration on his signature issue — terrorism.
The office many Giuliani backers believe he wants and would fit well with is the White House, which would require heavy political lifting to win after his disastrous 2008 presidential bid.
The former mayor hasn’t ruled out running for Senate, an office that some backers think could provide an attractive platform for launching a 2012 White House run.
If Giuliani, 65, ran and won, he’d be serving only the remaining two years of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s original term.
He has been prodded toward such a move by many, including his pal Sen. John McCain and newly minted state GOP Chairman Ed Cox. Multiple sources close to Giuliani said they believe that’s a non-starter.
While he’s widely considered their best prospect, Giuliani has angered Republican leaders for delaying a decision and hindering others from raising money.
Republican Rick Lazio, who has declared his candidacy for governor, was not aware of Giuliani’s plans, his spokesman said.
The Post recently reported that Cuomo sent a message to Giuliani that he was definitely running for governor next year.
Conservative Party leader Mike Long, whose ballot line is often crucial for a Republican to win statewide, said Giuliani “wasn’t doing anything” to garner support.
A Marist Poll survey released yesterday showed Giuliani leading Gillibrand 54 percent to 40 percent, while the same poll had him trailing Cuomo by 10 points in a potential gubernatorial face-off.