By WBFO News
Buffalo, NY – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed Republican Rick Lazio for governor Tuesday. He also says he does not plan to challenge US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand next year.
Giuliani says his businesses have "significant commitments" that would make it impossible to run for public office. He says the Republicans still have plenty of potential candidates to choose from for the Senate race against Gillibrand.
Giuliani's support of Lazio is seen as a blow to Erie County Executive Chris Collins, who is considering his own run for governor. Collins had been supporting Giuliani for governor before the former New York City mayor opted out of that race.
A Collins spokesman says Giuliani's support of Lazio will not affect Collins' decision to enter the race. For now, Collins is saying he will announce his plans early in 2010. He has hired a Manhattan media consulting firm to assist him.
Lazio, a former congressman from Long Island, announced his candidacy in September for the 2010 gubernatorial race. He last ran against former US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York in 2000.