Andrew Cuomo has secretly notified Rudy Giuliani that he will run for governor next year, The Post has learned.
The confidential message, conveyed through intermediaries, was delivered to Giuliani recently and is expected to play a central role in the former mayor's impending decision on whether to run as the Republican candidate for governor in 2010, sources with knowledge of the situation said.
The message confirms the widespread belief that state Attorney General Cuomo intends to challenge unelected Gov. Paterson in a Democratic primary if Paterson decides to run.
It was sent as a courtesy -- Giuliani says he's "friends" with Cuomo -- and as a warning that the former presidential candidate would face a brutal and, according to a dozen recent polls, losing battle against the highly popular attorney general.
Insiders said Cuomo, while convinced he would win, wants to avoid a costly and exhausting campaign against Giuliani, who polls show is popular in the suburbs and upstate but not in New York City.
A prominent Democrat with knowledge of the message said he was certain Giuliani would decide not to run.
"Rudy doesn't want to run against Andrew, and he has been told Andrew is running," said the Democrat, an important figure in party circles who is not aligned with Cuomo.
"It is certain that Andrew Cuomo is running, and it is certain that he will be the Democratic nominee for governor, he will be our nominee," added the source, whose views carry important weight in the Democratic Party.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/andy_warns_rudy_psst_running_gNxNBaEQ2ZUmefuLQKH0vL
