Cuomo has $16 million for governor's race

Andrew Cuomo has raised $16 million for his campaign to run for New York Governor according to Bloomberg. Cuomo has also hired five professional fundraisers since January and has set a goal of raising $20 million by January 15th according to someone familiar with the Attorney General's plans.

"Twenty million dollars--that's the number that gets you in the door, and it will probably dwarf what Paterson has available", said Hank Sheinkopf who is a Manhattan based political consultant.

Here's my opinion. Paterson is not going to win a second term. Things get easier with Giuliani out but Lazio will still narrowly defeat him. Paterson just doesn't have the support. 2010 is a big year for Governors and state legislatures. 2011 state legislatures will redraw Congressional districts and Governors will sign off on those maps. Control of the NY Senate is going to be tight and the next Governor will have to either veto or approve the new redistricting map.

Republicans are going to play with McMahon's district in Staten Island and I am sure will try to redraw Owens dist in upstate if he is re-elected in '10. 2010 is going to be about redistricting in 2012.