Spitzer wins Democrats' backing for NY
By Ellen Wulfhorst
New York's Democratic Party on Tuesday endorsed Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who has earned a reputation as a crusader against unethical practices on Wall Street, as its candidate for governor of New York.
Favored to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. George Pataki in the November election, Spitzer received the Democrats' support at their state convention in western New York, where they are expected on Wednesday to back Hillary Rodham Clinton for a second term in the U.S. Senate.
Armed with a huge campaign warchest and a strong showing in opinion polls, the former first lady, widely seen as a leading Democratic contender for the White House in 2008, is expected to win re-election handily in November.
Accepting his selection as the designated candidate by the party's convention delegates, Spitzer said: "Something needs to change in this state, and it needs to happen right now.
"Ours is a crisis of leadership," he said.
Spitzer promised "a government that's open, accountable and ready to get taxes and spending under control."
As state Attorney General, Spitzer has become known as an impassioned fighter against illegal and unethical practices and sweetheart deals in such industries as insurance, mortgage lending, online marketing and securities firms on Wall Street.
He brought a lawsuit against former New York Stock Exchange Chairman Richard Grasso over his $193 million pay package.
Polls show Spitzer leading both Republican candidates for governor -- former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld and former state Assembly member John Faso -- by as much as 60 points. The state Republican Party holds its convention later this week.
Spitzer faces a nominal challenge within the Democratic Party from a local politician from Long Island, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, who said he was boycotting the convention and instead would seek to get the 15,000 signatures necessary to get his name on the primary ballot.
The primary is September 12 and the general election November 7.
Pataki, who opted not to run for re-election after three terms as governor, is thought to be considering a bid for the Republican nomination for president in 2008.
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