It is quite early for this, but the Times Union has an article on Rep. Chris Gibson running for Governor in 2018.
Some excerpts:
“… Gibson assumes Cuomo will seek a third term, and he concedes the governor would be difficult to beat in a state where Democrats have a 2-to1 enrollment advantage …”
I don’t agree with this on several points.
First, I am not sure he is interested in another term. There was a finality in his tone after his re-election last year. Second, Democrats hate Cuomo. He was re-elected because of a deal made with with Senate Republicans to undermine Rob Astorino. Third, and this is the big one, I am not convinced Cuomo will be able to finish out his current term due to criminal probes by Preet Bharara.
“… Gibson would have obvious vulnerabilities, including little name recognition downstate … He’s also an opponent of the SAFE Act and gun control generally … Gibson vowed to take his views on guns directly at Cuomo, arguing that additional state restrictions will do nothing to make New Yorkers more safe. “I’m willing to debate this everywhere,” Gibson said. “The knee-jerk reaction for gun control has never delivered, and it won’t deliver.” That may play well upstate. But downstate? …”
As has been proven time and again, gun control proponents do not represent a voting constituency. They tried hitting Astorino with it and he ignored them.
“… Cuomo would also have a huge financial advantage over a Republican challenger …”
This is true. It remains to be seen if Chris has access to sufficient monies to run a statewide campaign.