State Democrats Set to Nominate Cuomo at Convention

Democrats from across the state gathered at the Rye Town Hilton Tuesday for the beginning of a three-day convention that will culminate in the party nominating Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for New York governor.

On the convention's first day, Democrats assembled in Rye Brook for caucus meetings and receptions hosted by nominees for Attorney General, a pack that includes Eric Dinallo, the state's insurance superintendent under Governor Eliot Spitzer; Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice; former federal prosecutor Sean Coffey; Richard Brodsky, a fixture in the State Assembly and Westchester County politics, and New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman.

In addition to selecting a nominee for Attorney General and governor, the party will also renominate Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, all of whom were in attendance on Tuesday.

Though the competing candidates for Attorney General have varying platforms and approaches, each believes solving New York's financial woes is a cardinal issue.

"People say the Attorney General as a super-prosecutor," Brodsky said. "But no one's property tax bill ever came down because we put lots of bad guys in jail."

Brodsky said responsible spending is a large part of his platform.

Andrea Miller, a volunteer with the DiNapoli campaign, stressed the importance of addressing New York's financial issues.

"The Comptroller has put a lot of attention on making things more transparent and making government more accountable," she said. "There's been a very strong message of having to reign in spending."

"I think everyone recognizes we have to change the way we do business," Miller added. "Comptroller DiNapoli has made that a priority."

Each of the Attorney General candidates interviewed expressed support for Andrew Cuomo, who announced his candidacy for Governor on May 22. Cuomo has cited government consolidation and capping property taxes as key elements of his platform.

"I'm going to support [Cuomo] for Governor and I think he'll win," Brodsky said. "I am glad to see he's talking about a reform agenda. I sent a letter to [Cuomo] last weekend, saying 'we don't need to wait until January to begin reform. We should begin now.'"

Paul Miller, a committeeman with the Rice campaign, noted Cuomo and Rice's platforms are compatible.

"Rice certainly supports Cuomo," Miller said.

Lauren Cocoran-Doolan, a state committee volunteer and working mom from Nassau County, came to the convention to show her support for Cuomo.

"Andrew Cuomo is bringing so many fresh ideas," Corcoran said. "I couldn't miss the event that nominates him."

"It's an exciting year to be a Democrat, and we want to secure victories this fall," Corcoran-Doolan added.

Cuomo could likely be pitted against Republican Rick Lazio in the race for Governor. Lazio, a former U.S. Representative whom Hillary Clinton defeated to become New York's senator, is running against Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino for the Republican nomination for governor. On Monday the Siena College poll put Cuomo at 66 percent to 23 percent over GOP challengers.

However, not every Democrat at the convention endorsed Cuomo. Louie Epstein, a committeeman from Putnam County, disapproved of Cuomo's platform on social issues.

"[Cuomo] supports same sex marriage, so he's not ideal for me," Epstein said. "I'm not about to vote for a Republican, but in this polarizing environment, I'm unhappy."

State Democrats will make their selection for lieutenant governor and select their nominee for Attorney General on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the final day of the convention, Cuomo will give a speech and officially accept his party's nomination.