SYRACUSE -- Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci is throwing his hat into the ring in the race for New York State Attorney General.
Andrew Cuomo is the current attorney general, but many predict he will run for governor. Antonacci will vie for the Republican party's nomination.
Other candidates in the race include: Daniel Donovan, a Staten Island District Attorney (Republican); Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice (Democrat), former state insurance superintendent Eric Dinallo (Democrat) and a state senator from the Upper West Side, Eric Schneiderman (Democrat).
Below is the press release from Bob Antonacci announcing his candidacy:
Robert Antonacci, Onondaga County Comptroller, on Friday announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Attorney General of the State of New York.
"After much encouragement from several regional upstate New York Chairs, I have officially decided to seek the nomination for Attorney General."
Antonacci met with several regional chairmen of the New York State Republican Committee on Friday and then spent the weekend traveling the state and meeting with other party delegates.
An Attorney and Certified Public accountant, Antonacci believes that he brings a fresh perspective and unique set of qualifications that New York desperately needs during the current financial crisis.
"New York is on the brink of financial ruin. My experience as an Attorney and CPA will be a powerful weapon in combating waste, fraud and abuse and protecting taxpayer dollars," Antonacci said. "Taxpayers are not the problem. Albany is the problem. As Attorney General I will protect taxpayers from the greed and dysfunction of Albany," he continued.
Antonacci also pointed to the problem of high taxes as an issue that he will address as New York's top Attorney. "Our families are leaving our state because they are simply taxed to death. As a lawyer and CPA in private practice I fought government for almost two decades, helping taxpayers cope with and understand the complexities of tax law, business law and government regulation. The people now need a tax attorney to fight on their behalf, the economic engines of our state need a business attorney to fight for their very existence, and we all need government that is leaner and more efficient," he said.
Antonacci is now concentrating on seeking delegate support prior to the New York State Republican Convention which begins on June 1st in New York City.
Antonacci, a lifelong resident of upstate New York, lives in Syracuse with his wife Michele and their two children.
