Eliot Spitzer, who stepped down from the governor’s office amid scandal, is now strongly considering a run for state comptroller, sources told The Post.
Spitzer has in recent weeks had discussions with some Democratic donors and insiders about the position currently held by Tom DiNapoli.
DiNapoli, a former assemblyman from Long Island, was appointed comptroller in 2007 after his predecessor, Alan Hevesi, pleaded guilty to using state workers as chauffeurs for his wife.
A Democrat who spoke with Spitzer said, “He’s seriously thinking about it.”
“He wants to run if he can,” said another source. “He’s still talking about it.”
Gov. Paterson backed the idea.
“The type of way that former Gov. Spitzer managed would be most useful these days in the finance area rather than in law enforcement,” Paterson said. “As you can see our biggest problems are – and the current comptroller has handled them very well, warning the Legislature over and over again what’s going to happen if we don’t act – so those who want to make change I think would be inclined to move in the finance area.”
It’s unclear whether a Spitzer candidacy would rely on a Democratic donor base, or if the former governor — whose family is wealthy — is thinking of pouring his own dough into a campaign.
It is also unclear if he would challenge DiNapoli in a primary, or if he’s considering running as an independent.
But Spitzer has privately made clear for several months that he sees DiNapoli as vulnerable — a view shared by many Democrats.
Spitzer resigned the governorship in 2008 after he was identified as “Client 9” who solicited prostitutes from a high-priced ring.
But before that, when he was state attorney general, he won kudos as the “Sheriff of Wall Street.” Lately, he has been pressing hard his potential credentials for the job of comptroller. He has made a string of public appearances focusing on the collapse of the economy and President Obama’s stimulus plans.
Spitzer could not be reached for comment about the 2010 race.
The Post first reported months ago that Spitzer was looking at a comeback.
Specifically, he had been looking at running for state comptroller or against appointed US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
At the time, he gave carefully worded denials about plans to run next year — but he has continued to discuss the possibility, the Democratic sources said.
One Democratic insider said Spitzer had a heavy lift, given the weight of the scandal.
But the source added that with four of the six statewide officeholders appointed to their posts, things are chaotic.
Those officials “don’t have bases of support,” said the insider.