Report: Pataki to Launch Presidential Bid in Exeter

At 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, former Gov. George Pataki, R-NY, will be at the Exeter Town Hall on Front Street for a major announcement regarding the 2016 Republican first-in-the-nation primary race.

After flirting with a potential presidential run in the past, Pataki, according to CNN.com, seems serious about it this time, and is picking Exeter because it’s the birthplace of the Republican Party.

“I’m a Republican following in the tradition of Teddy Roosevelt who understands that conservatism isn’t just economic policy but it’s also preserving and enhancing the outdoors,” Pataki said. “It will be a very stiff climb up a very steep mountain, but that hasn’t stopped me in the past,” he told the New York Post.

Pataki, who is 69, served three terms as governor of New York and is one of only three Republicans to be elected to the position. Before that, he was the mayor of Peeksill and also a state assemblyman and state Senator.

During his time working in the Legislature and as governor, Pataki earned a reputation as fiscal conservative but liberal to moderate on social issues like rights for gays and lesbians and abortion. He also made open space preservation and environmental issues a top priority during his three terms, and ushered through clean water/air and energy bills during his time in office, while also cutting taxes and fees while balancing budgets in one of the largest states in the country.

Previously, he considered a run for presidential in 2000 and 2012. Three years ago, he visited New Hampshire a number of times but ultimately decided against challenging President Barack Obama.