Cuomo makes NY governor bid official

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday he is officially running for governor.

Cuomo had long been expected to enter the race to replace unpopular Gov. David Paterson (D), who is not running for reelection this fall. The former lieutenant governor took the top job in March 2008 when former Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) resigned due to his involvement in a high-end prostitution ring.

Paterson, however, was never able to amass the support Spitzer was able to and repeatedly courted controversy. 

Andrew Cuomo is the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo (D) and enters the race as an overwhelming favorite. Cuomo has been a critic of Wall Street and recentlly announced an investigation of large banks to determine whether they misled credit rating agencies, contributing to the financial meltdown.

He will face either former Rep. Rick Lazio (R) or Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy (R).

Cuomo announced his bid in a web video in which he lays out his plan for the state. Watch it below.