An upstate New York sheriff declined an offer from Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman to be his running mate in the race against Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino said no thanks to Blakeman’s offer early Monday just hours before the GOP nominating convention was set to kick off on Long Island.
“I was offered the nomination of lieutenant governor. I expected to accept it,” Giardino told The Post Monday.
“I realized I would be campaigning 24/7,” he added. “I can’t be 24/7 campaigning across the state and effectively do my job as sheriff.”
Giardino said he first raised reservations about taking the job Sunday night after Blakeman offered him the post during discussions that began on Saturday.
Giardino was Blakeman’s choice, per sources close to the campaign’s selection process, The Post reported Sunday.
The sheriff said he was honored by the offer and shares Blakeman’s law-and-order vision for New York.
Giardino, 67, is the only person in New York state history to have been elected as county sheriff, district attorney and judge.
His rejection of the job was first reported by WNYT/News Channel 13.