Republican businessman Harry Wilson’s decision to not challenge Gov. Cuomo this year leaves the incumbent looking like the Harlem Globetrotters about to face another game with the Washington Generals.
Cuomo’s record in office ought to invite a serious challenge, but the state GOP just doesn’t look that serious.
Even Wilson’s odds weren’t great: He’s never held elective office but came close to winning a bid for state comptroller back in 2010. Yes, he’s honest and smart as a whip. But the main reason the local GOP was wild about Harry is that he would’ve spent millions of his own money on the race.
The final straw for Wilson may have been the state Independence Party’s endorsement of Cuomo last week (the same day the gov headlined an Independence fund-raiser), ending hope for any “fusion” challenge.
Wilson’s exit leaves Republicans looking at state Sen. John DeFrancisco and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, neither of whom has a statewide reputation, plus a possible run by the toxic Carl Paladino.
It’s been 47 years since the Generals topped the Globetrotters, 100-99 — because the Harlem squad lost track of the clock. That’s one mistake no one expects Andrew Cuomo to make.