Astorino will address Orleans Republicans on Friday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 October 2014 at 12:00 am

HOLLEY – Rob Astorino, the Republican Party candidate for governor, will be in Orleans County on Friday for the Fall Republican Rally at Hickory Ridge Country Club.

Astorino, the Westchester County executive, trails Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the polls, but Ed Morgan, the Orleans County GOP leader, believes Astorino could still pull off the upset victory. George Pataki was a little known state legislator when he defeated Cuomo’s father, Mario, in 1994.

“He’s ahead in the polls compared to where George Pataki was,” Morgan said this morning.

Morgan sees Republicans making a strong push for Astorino, and also sees Cuomo losing votes to Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Michael McDermott of the Libertarian Party.

“The secondary line candidates will pull votes from Cuomo and that will help Rob,” Morgan said.

The GOP candidate for comptroller, Robert E. Antonacci, will also be at the Republican Rally, which begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Antonacci is the Onondaga County comptroller. He faces incumbent Tom DiNapoli.

Candidates for State Legislature also are expected to speak at the rally, including Rob Ortt for State Senate and Steve Hawley for State Assembly.

The Republican Party also plans to recognize State Sen. George Maziarz, who is retiring after 19 years in the State Legislature.

For information about tickets to the rally, call Morgan at 732-7270.