Andrew Giuliani Touts Appeal to Democrats, Says Cuomo Fears 'Irrelevance'

Andrew Giuliani wants to be the next governor of New York, but he faces significant hurdles in a state where a Republican hasn't won for almost 20 years.

The 35-year-old son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and regular golf partner of former President Donald Trump couldn't have closer ties to the GOP. He served in the Trump White House as associate director of the Office of Public Liaison.

Giuliani told Newsweek on Wednesday that his appeal to Democrats sets him apart from the field of Republican candidates who'll compete in June's gubernatorial primary.

He said: "I have experience working in the executive branch. That's certainly one thing and look, the truth is [former county executive of Westchester County] Rob Astorino is a friend of mine.

"Any of the announced candidates are friends of mine and we're going to be working together to save New York state.

"And I think from a policy perspective, I think we're all going to be pretty similar. I do think, though, that I can deliver that message. I think I'm going to be able to appeal to more Democrats than my Republican colleagues."

Giuliani cited his experience on the ground and conversations with voters, suggesting he may get support from people who wouldn't normally vote Republican. He touted his focus on charter schools and framed his campaign in light of his father's time in office.

"I would say most overwhelmingly, what I would say is there's no New York Republican in the history of our state, that's been able to appeal to Democrats [more] than a Giuliani," he told Newsweek.

"I think New Yorkers remember what New York City was like, specifically in New York City, was like in the '70s and '80s, they remember what it was like in the late '90s and 2000s and they see where it's going again now.

"I think more and more independents and Democrats will consider voting for a Republican if they know it's going to make the city safer and ... bring back jobs and it's going to ultimately give parents the choice in education they deserve."

One of Giuliani's opponents in the primary is four-term Representative Lee Zeldin of New York's 1st congressional district. Zeldin has been a staunch ally of Trump and voted to object to the certification of Electoral College results on January 6. Zeldin is widely considered the strongest candidate in the field and is reportedly consolidating his position.

Giuliani's father, who served as Trump's personal lawyer, was a key figure in challenging the 2020 election results. Newsweek asked Andrew Giuliani about the election.

"Joe Biden is the president of the United States," Giuliani said. "What I would also say is, I have read over 200 of the thousand affidavits, over a thousand affidavits, that Americans signed under penalty of perjury that claim that they saw irregularities.

"I believe those problems, you know, I've seen some of the videos and I believe that. So do I think that there were some major problems that happened in this 2020 election? I absolutely do. I think that they could be fixed moving forward."

U.S. courts consistently rejected claims of widespread irregularities and mass voter fraud in the presidential election. Nonetheless, Giuliani told Newsweek he would support a voter ID requirement in New York if he becomes governor.

Giuliani's three policy pillars are tax cuts and deregulation, school choice and reducing crime in the state. He wants to protect qualified immunity for police, reverse recent bail reforms and create a tax environment that would make New York "competitive" with states like Texas and Tennessee.

To achieve that, he'll have to win in a state that hasn't elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won a third term in 2002. His biggest obstacle may not be a crowded primary, but a tough incumbent.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has faced a series of recent scandals, including the underreporting of COVID deaths in the state's nursing homes and multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. However, the three-term governor is still widely expected to run again in 2022.

"I strongly believe that Andrew Cuomo will run again for a fourth term," Giuliani said. "I do not see him getting out and I'll tell you why very easily, the thing that scares Andrew Cuomo more than anything else is irrelevance.

"And if Andrew Cuomo steps down, he becomes irrelevant. Well, Andrew Cuomo will have relevance. He'll have relevance until January 1st, 2023, when we take him out.

"I believe that he's going to run to be the nominee, may win the nomination. He may not. I don't know. I think there will be a strong primary on that side, but it's tough to tell."

"Andrew's numbers are where they are. Wait until he gets into the ring with me," he said.

Cuomo is regarded as a good communicator, who won praise for his COVID press conferences, as well as a strong political campaigner. Giuliani is unperturbed about running against him.

"I am not naive," Giuliani said. "I am expecting an absolute dog fight with Andrew Cuomo, whether it's going to be throughout the entire campaign or whether it's going to be in the debates. All I can tell you is I'm getting prepared for it, and I feel very, very confident, but it is going to be one heck of a heavyweight title, I can tell you that."

Newsweek has asked Governor Andrew Cuomo's office for comment.