Outgoing Hudson Valley-Capital District Congressman Chris Gibson is exploring a run for governor in 2018.
While not at all surprising, the Republican made it official this week creating a statewide candidate committee. The four-term U.S. Representative is getting his name out there early in what could be a crowded primary in two years. 2014 GOP nominee Rob Astorino and 2010 nominee Carl Paladino have each expressed interest in running for the same spot.
Gibson referenced the 1994 election when George Pataki upset then-Governor Mario Cuomo saying the odds are even better now for a Democrat. Despite that, he says his background as a moderate, retired U.S. Army veteran who twice won a district that voted for Barack Obama shows he can win independents and his share of Democrats.
