On Board Online Web exclusive • February 2, 2010

By Marc Humbert 
Senior Writer 

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has “no doubt” that state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo will run for governor this year. 

“There is no doubt in my mind,” the state Legislature’s most powerful Democrat told the New York State School Boards Association’s On Board newspaper during a wide-ranging interview in his state Capitol office on Monday, Feb. 1. 

While not taking sides in the possible showdown between Cuomo and Gov. David Paterson that is taking shape, Silver said he believes the governor’s made a political mistake in recent criticism of the state Legislature. 

“I think he believes that that’s his route to getting re-elected,” Silver said. “I think the polling indicates that he hasn’t helped himself in doing it, and I think ultimately the people will judge him by what he accomplishes, not by what he says.” 

Cuomo not declared his intentions although he has been raising campaign cash at a rate that would seem to be excessive if he were simply going to run for re-election as attorney general. 

In mid-January, Cuomo reported having more than $16 million in his campaign kitty. Gov. David Paterson, who has repeatedly said he will seek an elected term of office, reported about $3 million on hand. 

Asked if Cuomo had told him personally that he would run for governor, Silver hesitated momentarily and then said, “Not directly, no.” 

Silver said he expected there to be a Democratic primary for governor, but remained uncertain if Paterson would stay in the race that long. The primary is set for September. 

“We’ll deal with that in June. That’s when the state Democratic Convention is, and then we’ll have the political answers,” Silver said. 

Candidates for statewide office must secure at least 25 percent of the convention vote to win an automatic spot on the September primary ballot. Otherwise, candidates must petition their way onto the ballot – an expensive and time-consuming endeavor.