Let the 2018 governor's race begin.
Republican Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb says he's in the race.
“I want to change the whole mindset of state government that we’re supposed to be serving the people and not ourselves.”
Kolb, from Canandaigua, won election to the Assembly in 2000 and has been minority leader since 2009.
Kolb adds “I believe I’ve got the skill set, the experience, the desire, the heart to try to make our state a lot better than what it is.”
Kolb formally announced his candidacy in an on-line video on Tuesday.
“Corruption in Albany has transformed our state to the worse, and left many feeling powerless to fight back.”
Monroe County GOP Chairman Bill Reilich, who has served with Kolb in the Assembly, says “He’s an even keeled person. He’s not one that loses his temper, or flies off the handle. He can work with people from both sides of the aisle.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo says Kolb would do a fine job.
“”We really need someone to advocate for our interests here in Upstate New York as well, so it’s exciting to have somebody bring that perspective to Albany and all of New York State.”
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, a Democrat, says Gov. Cuomo has been the partner upstate needs.
“When you think about it a lot of the investment that has happened in the City of Rochester and in the Finger Lakes region, it’s because the Governor has really been focused on Upstate New York.”
Several other Republicans are said to be expressing interest in running, including State Sen. John De Francisco of Syracuse
Governor Cuomo is expected to seek a third, four-year term.
Photo: NY Assembly Website