New York gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio is about to find out how many friends he has in his own party. The former congressman has been running for the Republican nomination since last autumn. But despite the backing of ex-Gov. George Pataki, Lazio hasn't bowled over his GOP bretheran, some of whom looked around for another option and found one -- in the Democratic Party.

The New York Times reports that Steve Levy, the Suffolk County executive, will switch parties to run in the primary against Lazio. That's Levy in the photo.

Local Democrats in New York's 29th House district expect to unify around one candidate for the anticipated special election by the end of the month.

Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan, the chairman of the Steuben County Democratic party committee, said the district's eight county party chairs plan to meet and interview at least six candidates on either March 27 or 29.

"I'm fully confident that we'll come away ... with a consensus candidate," Hogan said.

Hogan declined to name the prospective candidates.

Hogan, himself, decided to pass on the race shortly after first-term Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) resigned. Several other potentially strong Democratic candidates, including Monroe County District Attorney Michael Green and Assemblywomen Barbara Lifton, have also declined to run, leaving a wide-open field.

Assemblyman David Koon (D) remains interested in the seat.

Rep. Charles B. Rangel's (D-N.Y.) re-election campaign cited his contested 2010 race in an invitation to an upcoming Washington, D.C., fundraiser.

In an e-mail, the campaign appealed to donors to support the Harlem congressman by attending a breakfast fundraiser March 25, with contribution amounts set at $5,000 for an event chair, $2,500 for a sponsor and $1,000 per person.

Rangel's ethical troubles have drawn a number of challengers, though none who are likely to give the 20-term incumbent much of a contest, at least as things stand now.

As House Democratic leaders and liberal groups ratchet up the pressure on vulnerable Democrats to support the health care bill this week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is warning 10 of them of risks at the ballot box if they vote "aye."

The Chamber commissioned polls in 10 battleground districts held by Democrats. In all 10, voters told the group's pollster they overwhelmingly oppose the health care legislation, and would be more likely to vote for their local representatives' re-election if they vote "no" on the health bill.

The targeted 10 were:

There's movement afoot in the Republican field for New York's 23rd district seat. The latest development: the decision by New York Assemblyman Will Barclay (R) not to run.

Barclay's announcement came less than a week after accountant Doug Hoffman (R), the narrow loser in last fall's special election in the Republican-leaning upstate district, confirmed that he would take another swing at the seat.

Barclay had been expected to join Hoffman in the race, but issued a statement Sunday night citing his duty to represent his Assembly constituents in Albany.

Hear that? It's the sound of Republicans exhaling in Upstate New York.

They didn't know if they were in for an intraparty fight or would be able to quietly start focusing on how to win back the seat relinquished by Democrat Eric Massa.

Former Corning Mayor Tom Reed already was in the race. Today, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks said she won't make a bid for the GOP nomination.

"The time may come when we take our message of stable taxes, controlled spending, and job creation to the halls of Congress, but today I couldn't be prouder to continue serving our community as County Executive," she said in a written statement.

After flirting with the idea of a comeback, former Rep. John "Randy" Kuhl Jr. (R-N.Y.) crossed his name off the list of possible candidates for former Rep. Eric Massa's (D-N.Y.) seat on Wednesday.

The decision no doubt comes as a relief to Republican party strategists, who were underwhelmed by Kuhl's campaign performance in his 2008 loss.

In a statement, Kuhl said he had "heard from hundreds of my former constituents urging me to run for my old congressional seat. Their emotional plea to me was humbling and most appreciative. But, after careful consideration, I have decided to forego a run for Congress."

New York has been known to elect Republicans. Remember George Pataki? GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio is sure hoping his state's voters remember.

On Wednesday, Pataki endorsed Lazio for governor -- a development that wouldn't be particularly noteworthy, except that some of Pataki's fellow Republicans have been thinking they'd prefer to put up a different candidate -- even if that candidate has to change parties.

The New York Times and the Albany Times Union reported today on efforts to woo a Lazio alternative.

In addition to the Pataki endorsement, Lazio's pushback against his doubters included the rollout of endorsements from former GOP Reps. Amo Houghton, Sherwood Boehlert and George Wortley.

The sole candidate currently in the race for former Rep. Eric Massa's (D-N.Y.) now-vacant seat called on Gov. David Paterson (D-N.Y.) to call a special election "as soon as possible."

"The people of the 29th district ... need a voice in Washington, D.C.," former Corning Mayor Tom Reed (R) said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday morning.

Paterson has the sole responsibility to determine a special election date, which must take place 30 to 40 days after he declares the seat vacant. Asked by local reporters Tuesday afternoon when that would be, Paterson declined to name a date, but did say he also hoped "to call it as soon as possible."

Paterson also said he didn't think the seat would remain vacant until the regular November election, as some have speculated.

Rep. Michael E. McMahon (D-N.Y.) won the endorsement Tuesday of Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, a member of the New York Conservative party and influential district politician.

Molinaro's endorsement, which McMahon also won during his first congressional run in 2008, helps bolster the Democrat's independent credentials as he seeks re-election in the traditionally Republican 13th district. The district was one of just a few in New York to vote for John McCain over Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

McMahon also won the backing of Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) in his 2008 race, and irked Democrats by returning the favor and endorsing Bloomberg for mayor last fall.

"I think he's done a good job, he's represented the people of the district," Molinaro told local NY1 News. "And that's what he has to do and he went down there to do that. So I think he should be rewarded with another term."

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Democrats' presumed-but-not-official candidate for governor, will be in Washington D.C. for a fundraiser later this month.

Democratic power couple Maria Keating Titelman and Bill Titelman, a lobbyist, are hosting the March 22 event at their Georgetown home. Joining them as co-hosts are Motion Picture Association of America outgoing Chairman Dan Glickman and MPAA Senior Executive Vice President Daniel Mandil; Dewey Square Group grassroots campaigns advisor Joe Eyer; and D.C. lobbyists Doug Kantor, Amy Maxwell, Mike McKay and Katie Whelan.

The fundraiser, which asks $5,000 per co-host down to $500 for a "Friend," will benefit Andrew Cuomo 2010, the attorney general's re-election campaign committee. Cuomo can shift funds from that committee into a gubernatorial campaign if, as expected, he jumps into the race.

Sitting Gov. David Paterson (D) made Cuomo's path much smoother when he announced last month he would not seek re-election

CQ Politics rates the general election contest Likely Democratic.

To follow all the 2010 Governor's races check out our election map.

As expected, accountant Doug Hoffman (R), the conservative hero of last fall's upstate New York election, will again run for the 23rd district seat.

Hoffman had already been preparing to run for the seat, but sent out an e-mail to his supporters Monday night to reaffirm that he "will be formally entering the race" and plans to "champion the fight for less spending, lower taxes, and shrinking the deficit."

Hoffman, who ran on the state's Conservative party line in the special election, narrowly lost to Rep. Bill Owens (D-N.Y.). He is aiming to run on the Republican, Conservative and Independence party lines this time around.

Other Republicans are also looking at the race, including state Assemblyman Will Barclay, investment banker Matthew Doheny and Franklin County Legislator Paul Maroun.

CQ Politics rates the general election contest Leans Democratic.

To follow all the 2010 House races, check out our election map.

Now that he doesn't have a day job, newly-departed-from-Congress Eric Massa will have lots of time to show up on your television to explain how he came to be an almost one-term wonder.

Look for him today on Glenn' Beck's Fox News show and on Larry King Live.

Read in The Washington Post, in the Daily Beast, and in Politico about how conservatives are embracing Massa for saying out loud what they only imagined.

And the subscription wall has been lowered at our sister site, RollCall.com, so you can read all the details of Massa's parting shots to the people who helped get him into Congress in the first place.

After that, you might want a long walk or a hot shower.

Or, if you're fascinated by the aftermath, check out the story by our Emily Cadei on how the politicians in Massa's state are regrouping to field a successor.

Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan (D) has taken himself out of the running for Rep. Eric Massa's (D-N.Y.) congressional seat.

Hogan, who was among the top Democratic names circulating in the wake of Massa's surprise resignation to resign, issued a statement, on Monday morning cited the "toxic" political environment as a factor in his decision not to run.

"I still have a great desire to serve," Hogan said. "However the atmosphere in politics today is toxic, fueled by extremism on both sides of the aisle. Americans deserve and want leadership from our elected officials not 30 second sound bites and destructive behavior."

This is the day that Eric Massa gives up his right to the "members only" elevator and goes back to being a regular old citizen. On his way out of Congress, the New York Democrat explained how he found himself on the no-win side of an ethics complaint.

WHAM-TV has posted a link to Massa's regular weekly radio show on WKPQ-FM. In Sunday's installment, Massa describes attending a staffer's wedding -- accompanied by his wife -- that turned out to be the beginning of an abrupt end.

At a table of bachelor staffers (and bachelor is his word), "One of them looked at me and as they would do after, I don't know, 15 gin and tonics, and goodness only knows how many bottles of champagne, a staff member made an intonation to me that maybe I should be chasing after the bridesmaid," Massa said.

"His points were clear and his words were far more colorful than that," Massa said. "And I grabbed the staff member sitting next to me and said, 'Well, what I really ought to be doing is fracking you.' And then [I] tossled the guy's hair.'"

Now remember, he was the boss of everyone at that table.