State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is joining a growing field of potential Democratic candidates for governor in 2018, whether or not Andrew Cuomo seeks a third term, The Post has learned.
Two Democratic activists told The Post that the well-liked DiNapoli, who last week released a damning audit on Cuomo’s controversial “Start Up NY’’ ad campaign, is being urged by union activists and other “progressives’’ aligned with Mayor de Blasio to consider running for governor and even challenging Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
“The dislike of Cuomo has become so great among Democrats that some of the union-operative types are actually out shopping for a replacement, talking to DiNapoli,’’ one activist told The Post.
Veteran Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf predicted that former Assemblyman DiNapoli, in office since 2007, would have “more institutional support than [Attorney General and possible gubernatorial candidate] Eric Schneiderman’’ and has “only to prove that he can raise the dough for a campaign” to be a serious candidate.
Republican Chairman Ed Cox said there’s a “good chance” DiNapoli will challenge Cuomo because, he said, “Everybody likes Tom DiNapoli and nobody seems to like Cuomo.’’
A Marist College poll last week found Cuomo, increasingly out of favor with his party’s left-of-center “progressive’’ wing, with his lowest job-approval rating ever — just 37 percent with all voters and only 43 percent among Democrats alone.
DiNapoli ducked questions last week when pressed on his interest in running for governor, but seemed to hint at it by insisting that “at this point,’’ he likes his current job.
“At this point, I’m focusing on staying comptroller and running for re-election,’’ DiNapoli said on Albany’s Talk 1300 AM.
“Suffice it to say, I have the best job in state government,’’ he added, an assertion with which many in state government would likely take issue.
The Post disclosed in March that Schneiderman, urged on by teachers-union activists, was considering challenging Cuomo, although earlier this month, he claimed he was interested only in seeking re-election.
Among others being mentioned by party activists as possible gubernatorial contenders are corruption-fighting US Attorney Preet Bharara, whose political mentor, US Sen. Charles Schumer, once seriously considered running for governor, and de Blasio, especially if some of his “progressive’’ city programs continue to be stymied in Albany.
Disappointed supporters of Syracuse Sen. John DeFrancisco say the 68-year-old veteran lawmaker didn’t have his heart in last week’s losing battle with Sen. John Flanagan (R-Suffolk) to replace Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) as the new majority leader.
The supporters, including some among his 15 Senate backers (vs. 18 for Flanagan) said DeFrancisco made two strategic errors that cost him the contest: failing to make an issue out of the scandal-scarred Skelos’ insistence that he would resign and throw the Senate’s Republican majority into question unless Flanagan was his successor, and Cuomo’s behind-the-scenes support for Flanagan, which effectively neutralized his ability to stand up to the governor.
“DeFran blew it. He wasn’t hungry enough. He should have gone public with some serious charges about Flanagan, Skelos and Cuomo,’’ said a close DeFrancisco ally.
DeFrancisco is expected to retire when his term expires next year, said a source familiar with his thinking.