Spokesperson: Report Giuliani Running for Senate "Not True"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Campaign 2010

(AP)

Updated 5:18 p.m. ET

After months of consideration, former New York City mayor and Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani has decided against running for governor of New York, according to a report in the New York Times.

And according to the New York Daily News, the reason is that he's running instead for Senate.

Both newspapers are citing anonymous sources, and Giuliani's team is saying it is premature to say he has made a final decision.

Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella flatly told CBS News that the Daily News report is "not true."

In a separate written statement, she said this: "When Mayor Giuliani makes a decision about serving in public office, he will inform New Yorkers on his own."

Giuliani has been seen as the Republicans' strongest candidate in the New York governor's race. He was likely to have faced either incumbent Democratic Gov. David Paterson, against whom he was polling well, or Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whom polls suggest would have the advantage against Giuliani in a general election.

Cuomo is expected to challenge Paterson in the Democratic Party, and he appears to be the White House's preferred candidate in the race. The only Republican candidate in the race thus far is former congressman Rick Lazio.

Should Giuliani win the Republican Senate nomination for 2010, his likely general election opponant would be Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to Hillary Clinton's former seat by Paterson.

The man dubbed "America's mayor" following the Sept. 11th attacks heads the consulting firm Giuliani Partners and has been highly paid as a motivational speaker.

More Giuliani News:

Giuliani: Political Correctness to Blame for Fort Hood Rampage

Giuliani: 9/11 Trial Part of Left-Wing Political Agenda

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by pasmalltown November 20, 2009 9:28 AM EST: "Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella flatly told CBS News that the Daily News report is "not true." ..."
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And the NY Times report is true or flatly not true???
What is Rudy running for (or from)?; Reply to this comment


by stevepj-2009 November 19, 2009 2:31 PM EST: Let's see, Mayor G raised like 16 mil to run for president, spent three weeks in the spring campaigning on Palm Beach and withdrew from the race. What did he do with the 15.8 mil he had left over.; Reply to this comment