New York Republicans Make Their Case to Take on Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Two members of Congress, two former gubernatorial candidates and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s son will address a gathering of Republican leaders in Albany Monday, as the state party starts to settle its ticket for November—of 2022.

NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy said in an interview that his singular focus is defeating Gov. Andrew Cuomo in next year’s statewide elections, adding he hopes for a consensus about his party’s candidates before year’s end.

“It is imperative that we get the ball rolling,” said Mr. Langworthy.

There are now more than twice as many Democrats in the state as Republicans, and the GOP hasn’t won a statewide office since Gov. George Pataki was elected to a third term in 2002. Republicans also lost control of the state Senate majority in 2018, hampering the state party’s efforts to raise campaign money.

U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who represents a district in eastern Long Island, on April 8 became the first major GOP candidate to declare a gubernatorial bid. His campaign said he raised $1 million on its first day of operations. In January, Mr. Cuomo reported he had $16.8 million in his war chest.