After searching nearly a year for a candidate, New York Republicans nominated Pierre Rinfret, a political unknown with deep pockets, to challenge Gov. Mario Cuomo.
The 66-year-old millionaire economist said after his nomination at the state GOP convention Wednesday that he's no sacrificial lamb."I think we're going to take this guy," Rinfret told the convention.
Cuomo is expected to announce a bid for for a third, four-year term within days. Considered a potential 1992 Democratic presidential contender, he is generally viewed as a big favorite for re-election, even by Republicans.
In trying to find a candidate to challenge him, the state GOP had been turned down by one big-name Republican after another, including U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. It was only last week that party leaders settled on Rinfret.
Rinfret, who has never run for public office, admitted he doesn't know much about major issues, but he promised, "I will know more than Mario Cuomo come Election Day."