New York Attorney-General Andrew Cuomo declared his candidacy for governor on Saturday, delivering a full-throated call for political reform and pledging to make the notoriously dysfunctional state government more accountable to its citizens.
The announcement by Mr Cuomo to seek the governorship once held by his iconic father, Mario Cuomo, had been widely expected.
The Democrat disclosed his candidacy in a video released on his website before appearing before supporters later in the day.
Mr Cuomo made the announcement on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse in lower Manhattan, named for the notorious leader of the city’s corrupt 19th century Tammany Hall political machine. Mr Cuomo said he did so because “Albany’s antics today could make Boss Tweed blush.” “Enough is enough,” Mr Cuomo declared.
“It’s time the people of the Empire State strike back.” Mr Cuomo promised to cap the state’s property taxes, which are among the highest in the nation, and to consolidate local governments and create a more favourable environment for job growth. —AP