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New York Republicans Urge Jeanine Pirro to Abandon Senate Bid

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New York's Republican Party has reached a critical juncture, with county leaders advising Jeanine Pirro to abandon her struggling Senate campaign and run for state attorney general instead. The recommendation, which comes after months of disarray and disappointing fund-raising, marks a stark reversal of Pirro's fortunes. Despite the support of party leaders and Governor George Pataki, Pirro's campaign has failed to gain traction, and independent pollster Lee Miringoff said the action by the county chairmen hurts Pirro's chances regardless of the office she seeks.

Key Takeaways:

  • County leaders in New York have urged Jeanine Pirro to abandon her Senate campaign and run for state attorney general, citing her need to switch to a more suitable office.
  • The recommendation is a result of months of disarray and disappointing fund-raising, with Pirro's campaign struggling to gain traction.
  • Despite the support of party leaders and Governor George Pataki, Pirro's campaign has been plagued by issues, including an anemic fundraising effort and a failed Senate primary challenge to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
  • State election officials have confirmed that the money Pirro raised for her Senate campaign can be largely transferred to a state attorney general's race.
  • Independent pollster Lee Miringoff has stated that the action by the county chairmen hurts Pirro's chances regardless of the office she seeks, labeling it "a big vote of no confidence."
  • Aides to Pirro have not ruled out her abandoning the Senate race, and two other candidates, former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer and tax attorney William Brenner, remain actively seeking the nomination.

Statistics:

  • 46 county leaders in New York sent a letter to Pirro in June, urging her to run for Senate.
  • In August, Pirro formally announced her Senate campaign, despite concerns of disarray within her team.
  • Pirro stood silent for 32 seconds during her formal announcement speech, losing a page from her speech in the process.
  • As of two weeks ago, the Legislature's highest ranking Republican, Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, advised Pirro to switch to the state attorney general's race.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press (no date mentioned)
  • The Associated Press (wire story, no date mentioned)
  • The Associated Press (quotations from various officials, no date mentioned)

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