ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Upstate Republican Brian Kolb says he will run for New York governor next year.
The lawmaker from Canandaigua has led the GOP minority in the state Assembly for eight years and was first elected in 2000.
Kolb confirmed his plans Tuesday morning on Rochester's WHAM-1180 radio ahead of a formal announcement expected later in the day.
Cuomo is considered a possible White House contender but says he plans to seek a third term in 2018.
Kolb has acknowledged that beating Cuomo will be a challenge. Cuomo is a prodigious fundraiser and his party has a big advantage in voter registration in New York.
Other potential candidates in 2018 include Democrat Stephanie Miner, the outgoing mayor of Syracuse; Republican businessman Harry Wilson; and Republican state Sen. John DeFrancisco of Syracuse.
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