Ed Lurie is again making calls to GOP leaders to express his interest in becoming chairman of the state party, Republican sources confirm, but does not currently plan to challenge Ed Cox until his two-year term ends in next fall – regardless of the outcome of this year’s elections.

Lurie, who has served as executive director at the state GOP and the state Senate Republican Campaign Committee (he fell on his sword following the party’s special election loss in the 48h SD), has been gunning for the state chairmanship for some time. He’s currently a consultant and is working on Staten Island DA Dan Donovan’s AG campaign.

He has been making calls to party leaders since the state convention in early June at which Cox’s preferred gubernatorial contender, Democrat-turned-Republican Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, was blocked from getting onto the ballot.

(Cox was recently vindicated somewhat when former Gov. Eliot Spitzer said on CNN that he believes Levy could have defeated Andrew Cuomo, although that must have come as cold comfort, considering the source).

There has been considerable displeasure with Cox’s leadership among rank-and-file Republicans for some time, with upset over everything from his failure to fulfill his fundraising pledges to his wooing of Levy to the failed congressional bid of his son, Chris, in NY-1.

To be fair, it’s not easy to head a party that isn’t just out of power but is also vastly out-gunned in terms of enrollment. However, this is supposed to be a big Republican year, and Cox has done more harm than good in any number of races. His future will depend on how the GOP performs on Nov. 2.

Lurie isn’t the only one being floated as a possible Cox replacement. Former state Sen. Ray Meier’s name is also in the mix, as per usual. A new possibility is Erie County GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy, who has seen his stock rise along with Carl Paladino’s success in the Sept. 14 primary. Langworthy has so far insisted he’s not interested in the job.

Share|