Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra announced his intention to seek the GOP nomination for Governor.
Giambra is a former Democrat who ran as a Republican for two terms as Erie CE. He is positioning himself as a “moderate.”
What does he bring to the table?
On the upside:
- Has a degree of credibility having served 10 years as City of Buffalo Comptroller and 8 years as Erie County Executive.
- Might appeal to Democrats and “moderates” having previously represented a Democrat-majority district.
On the downside:
- Is buds with Pothole Al.
- Was at the helm during the county’s fiscal crisis of ’05.
- Does the New York GOP really need another “moderate”?
- Little to no name recognition outside WNY.
On 2A, the only thing I can recall about Giambra is that back in ’06 he wanted approval from the state legislature to tack a $5 fee on pistol licenses. Whether this was because he is antigun or because the county needed the money can be debated.