Why is it so impossible to elect a Republican in NY under any circumstances now? In 1994, Pataki really wasn't a top tier candidate. He was a little known State Senator from Putnam County. And he beat Mario Cuomo.
Why would they want to? Andrew Cuomo is governor.
Really what they should have done was cross-endorse him (They can do that in New York) ... which would eliminate him for contention for future office as a Democrat (because today's politics are that partisan).
As much as I hate Cuomo and would love to see him out of contention for future office, I don't really think Republicans basically saying "yeah this guy isn't too bad and it's not like we have a great candidate to put up so we're gonna support Cuomo" would hurt his chances in a Democratic primary. Vice versa of course would be a huge problem.