Giuliani Not Running for Office in 2010

This news comes as a surprise considering he's a virtual lock for the GOP nod if he runs for either Governor of New York or for Kirsten Gillibrand's Senate seat.

So long, Rudy.

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to announce Tuesday he is not running for U.S. Senate or anything else in 2010, effectively ending his storied - and often stormy - electoral career, The Daily News has learned.

The announcement, at which he'll also endorse Republican Rick Lazio for governor, marks the end of a year-long political dance by Giuliani, who mulled bids for governor and then Senate before backing away from both.

He had reason to weigh each run: surveys showed him a clear favorite to win primaries for either office, and as recently as last week a poll showed Giuliani crushing freshman Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand by 10 points.

But the former mayor has decided to stay in the private sector, where he will continue his work as a security consultant, a sometimes TV commentator and, increasingly, a celebrity draw on the GOP fund-raising circuit.

"Next year should be an interesting cycle for Republicans, and he sees it as an opportunity to engage in targeted races across the country," said a person familiar with Giuliani's plans.

Giuliani's decision to endorse Lazio - whom Giuliani famously big-footed when he chose to run for Senate in 2000, only to see Lazio replace him on the ballot after dropping out to battle prostate cancer - is the start of his push to help other GOPers, insiders said.

Hard to believe considering his national profile, but Giuliani hasn't held office since the end of 2001. While considered to be a moderate his standing in the party is still strong despite a poor showing in the 2008 presidential primaries. He certainly could help candidates nationwide in close races and will surely do plenty of stumping.

He would have been the heavy favorite to oust Gillibrand but trailed likely Democrat nominee Andrew Cuomo in the gubernatorial contest. Oddly enough, it doesn't appear the GOP will even offer token resistance to the odious Chuckie "Bitch" Schumer next year, a sure sign strong challengers are rather rare in New York. My hunch is Lazio stands little chance against Cuomo but the tide has turned sharply against Democrats nationwide, so take nothing for granted.