August 9, 1999
Web posted at: 4:35 p.m. EDT (2035 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Rep. Rick Lazio (R-New York) will hold a news conference Wednesday morning to announce his future political plans, but his staff would not say whether he will heed calls that he defer announcing his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Lazio, a four-term congressman from Long Island, has been exploring running for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-New York), also being eyed by first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Rep. Rick Lazio

Lazio would be the underdog in a Republican primary against Giuliani.

Mrs. Clinton is not expected to face any opposition for the Democratic nomination.

Lazio originally had scheduled a Senate campaign launch announcement next Monday, August 16. But in a blow to Lazio's hopes, New York's top Republican, Gov. George Pataki, endorsed Giuliani for the GOP slot.

On Friday Pataki said, "In order to win, the Republican Party must be unified behind one strong candidate. I believe Rudy Giuliani has earned the right to be that candidate."

Pataki called Lazio, a House assistant majority leader, a "rising star" in Republican politics, but asked him to defer entering the Senate race until Giuliani had made up his mind. Giuliani has formed an exploratory committee but has announced no official decision.

Both Lazio and Giuliani have raised more than $3 million for the possible race.

Monday, August 9, 1999

• GOP presidential hopefuls take aim at Iowa
• Starr says Whitewater report to be issued 'well before' Election Day
• Rep. Lazio to announce intentions on Senate race
• Mills turns down White House counsel job
• Republicans plan to avoid another government shutdown
• U.S. Postal Service approves online stamp sales
• Clinton warns against complacency from Kosovo victory
• Senator says U.S. will make an example of suspected terrorist
• Clinton criticizes attempts to eliminate program funding
• Yellow pages typo directs White House surfers to porn site
• Clinton prods Senate to pass nuclear test ban treaty
• In California, politicians in a frenzy after fund-raising law thrown out
• AIDS activists disrupt Gore speech
• Administration creating new council to combat overseas propaganda

ARCHIVES