In a packed hotel with standing room only, supporters of New York state Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-DeWitt) yelled, “Run John, run!”

DeFrancisco, a vocal critic of New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo, obliged.

“With your support, I humbly announce my candidacy for governor of the state of New York,” DeFrancisco said Tuesday during a press conference in the suburban village of Liverpool, west of Syracuse.

DeFrancisco officially challenged the incumbent Cuomo, a Democrat, in the 2018 gubernatorial election after months of speculation about whether he would run.

The local politician has previously served on the Syracuse City School District’s Board of Education and the city’s Common Council. He was first elected to the New York State Senate in 2002.

“It really is heartwarming after being involved in government so long to see people still think you are good enough to be around to maybe support you for something else,” DeFrancisco said. “It really means a lot to me.”

DeFrancisco frequently criticized Cuomo during the event, which was held in a Holiday Inn near Interstate 90.

The senator said that due to Cuomo’s governorship, more than 1 million people have left New York state. New York lost more than 1 million residents to out migration since 2010, according to a study by the Empire Center.

“Over the course of the campaign, I will lay out my vision to make New York a great place to work, live, raise a family and ultimately retire, and I will do so with honesty and the willingness to take the fight directly to Andrew Cuomo,” DeFrancisco said.

DeFrancisco said Cuomo has put politics above other things and, in the past eight years, has not been transparent in some decisions.

During his speech, DeFrancisco said he has always fought for policies that create opportunity. He also said that he has fought to reduce and to control government spending.

DeFrancisco said he hopes to change the economy in New York by implementing policies that create a friendlier business environment and help hardworking residents achieve financial security and upward mobility.

He said as governor, Cuomo has failed in regard to economic opportunities, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority — which has faced scrutiny in recent years due to numerous derailments and delays of subways in New York City. He said Cuomo blames Bill de Blasio, the city’s mayor, for problems with the subway. New York state controls the MTA.

DeFrancisco supports small businesses and good paying jobs, he said. The senator would aim to increase government transparency and invest in the state’s infrastructure if elected, including the MTA, he said. DeFrancisco said he would protect New York residents’ Second Amendment rights.

He also said Cuomo uses his office for economic gain.

DeFrancisco said New York has been viewed negatively because of high taxes, failing schools, infrastructure, the transportation system and high energy costs. He said this is prominent in every place in New York expect New York City.

New York should be affordable again, he said, and DeFrancisco wants to make New York a place people would like to come to, especially in future generations, he added.

“We can only do this if we defeat Andrew Cuomo in November,” DeFrancisco said.

Published on January 30, 2018 at 10:43 pm

Contact Bianca: bmoorman@syr.edu