US News

LAZIO GOV BID FOR REAL

ALBANY — Republican Rick Lazio, who ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate against Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2000, is planning to run for governor next year, his spokesman said yesterday.

“He fully intends to,” said Barney Keller when asked if Lazio was running.

The former Long Island congressman, considered a likely contender, is still deciding when to formally announce, Keller said. Lazio has a campaign committee, and his Web site is soliciting contributions.

“This campaign will be about the future of New York and what kind of New York we want our children and grandchildren to inherit,” Lazio says on the Web site.

Lazio lost to Clinton in the historic race that made her the only first lady to be elected to the Senate. Lazio entered the race as a last-minute substitute for then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who bowed out because of prostate cancer and a messy public divorce.

Lazio could face off against Giuliani, whom many Republicans are pushing to run, in a primary.

Lazio, 51, now works in asset management at JP Morgan Chase.