NY-Gov: The Battle Is (Finally) Joined

After an interminable wait that turned his announcement into the greatest foregone conclusion in the recent history of politics, Andrew Cuomo made it official this morning--he is running for Governor of New York:

Democrat Andrew Cuomo is making it official: He will seek the New York governor's job once held by his father.

Cuomo, who as state attorney general has built a national reputation for his campaigns against public corruption, posted a video and statement online Saturday announcing his candidacy.

The formal announcement comes months after a member of President Barack Obama's administration sought to have Gov. David Paterson not seek election to the seat he gained by default, indicating a preference for Cuomo.

Paterson, of course, made a brief overture at defying the establishment (and all conventional wisdom) by seeking re-election. He eventually made the decision to stand down, which effectively ceded the Democratic nomination to Cuomo.

Republicans are still scrambling to find a viable candidate to oppose Cuomo, who at this point looks exceedingly likely to keep the Governor's Mansion in Democratic hands. The two Republican frontrunners are former Congressman Rick Lazio and Suffolk County Executive (and former Democrat) Steve Levy. Polls conducted over the entirety of the cycle have given Cuomo wide leads over all comers.