Levy lags Lazio in race for GOP chairmen support

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ALBANY -- A statewide tally of Republican county chairmen shows gubernatorial hopeful Steve Levy has a rather large hurdle to clear to remain a viable candidate.

The Suffolk County executive, a lifelong Democrat who is seeking the GOP ballot line, had endorsements from just 14 county chairmen holding a weighted vote of 26 percent, a Times Union survey conducted this week revealed.

GOP front-runner Rick Lazio, a former congressman, has the backing of 27 county chairmen who represent 51 percent of the weighted total. The chairmen of 19 counties remain neutral.

Levy announced at his campaign kickoff that he will switch parties, but his enrollment change to Republican won't go into effect until Election Day. As a member of another party, he is required by law to gather more than 50 percent of the delegate vote at the Republican state convention in June to remain on the ballot. If the convention were held this week, Levy would need practically all of the undecided county chairmen to fall into his corner to maintain his bid.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=924483