Though most polls show New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer (D) crushing his potential Republican rivals in next year's gubernatorial race, the New York Observer notes Spitzer's biggest challenge may come from within his own party. Nassau County executive Tom Suozzi (D), off the heels of a landslide re-election victory, is gearing up for a primary challenge.
"Suozzi supporters at the rally appeared gung-ho for a gubernatorial run -- and sanguine about the fight with the state Democratic Party that will come with it. New Yorkís most powerful Democrat, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, long ago anointed Attorney General Eliot Spitzer as the Democratsí 2006 gubernatorial standard-bearer."
Newsday says Suozzi is "telling confidantes" he will likely launch his campaign January 13.