Weld Ends Bid For N.Y. Governor

Sam Houston's place in history is safe for now.

Republican William F. Weld, the former governor of Massachusetts, dropped his candidacy for New York's governorship yesterday, ensuring that Houston will remain the only person to serve as chief executive of two states (Texas and Tennessee).

Weld's decision leaves former state legislator John Faso with the Republican field to himself. Democrats are heading toward a Sept. 12 primary between state Attorney General Eliot L. Spitzer and Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. Based on recent Empire State polls, Spitzer is the heavy favorite to win both the primary and general elections.

For Weld, his departure from the race marks the likely end of a political career that some people once expected would lead to a bid for the White House. Weld was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1990 and was reelected overwhelmingly four years later. Weld decided to challenge Sen. John F. Kerry (D) in 1996 -- a clash of political titans that produced one of that year's most watched races. Weld and Kerry ran close throughout the campaign, but a final kick by the Democrat (much like the one that lifted him to victory in the 2004 Iowa presidential caucuses) gave him 52 percent of the vote to 45 percent for Weld.

After that defeat, Weld appeared to wander politically -- accepting a nomination from President Bill Clinton to be the ambassador of Mexico in the summer of 1997. He never assumed that position, however, as Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) blocked the nomination.

Many New York GOP leaders were at first enthusiastic about Weld's decision to run for governor, since they had struggled to find a strong candidate to replace retiring Gov. George E. Pataki. Almost immediately, however, Weld's candidacy ran into trouble, most notably the revelation that a trade school in Kentucky where Weld had served as CEO was being investigated by the Justice Department.

The campaign never recovered, as evidenced by Weld's weak performance against Faso at last week's state Republican convention. Faso received 61 percent of the delegates' support to 39 percent for Weld. Under the nominating rules, Weld received enough support to force a primary. But after encouragement from party leaders, he opted out.

"This is not a time for a contested primary," Weld said at a news conference yesterday, adding that he had decided "there's a time to look beyond your aspirations for the bigger picture."

She Says No, and Means It

No one can accuse Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) of being a pushover. She's got the stats to prove it.

Still in her first term, Napolitano yesterday issued her 115th veto -- an Arizona record. She surpassed Democrat Bruce Babbitt, who compiled his 114 vetoes over two terms.

Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have made it a felony to be an illegal immigrant in Arizona, a measure that was passed through the Republican-controlled state House and Senate. Napolitano also vetoed a bill on eminent domain -- No. 116.

Napolitano's zeal for the veto pen seems to have only helped her standing. After winning with 46 percent in 2002, she looks headed to an easy reelection this November after Republican heavy hitters -- such as Rep. J.D. Hayworth -- decided against challenging her. But history buffs take note: One potential Republican candidate is the nephew of the late Sen. Barry Goldwater (R).