Lazio Launches Senate Bid, Says He’s Real New Yorker

WEST ISLIP, N.Y. — From the gym of his former high school on Long Island, relatively unknown Republican Rep. Rick Lazio catapulted himself Saturday into the nation’s most-talked-about political campaign--the Senate race against Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“You can tell from my accent that I am a lifelong New Yorker,” Lazio said in an obvious swipe at the first lady. “I don’t have to fake it. . . . I’ve never needed an exploratory committee to help me figure out where I wanted to live.”

The official announcement, less than 24 hours after New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani dropped out of the Senate race, launched the 42-year-old, four-term congressman into the national spotlight.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Joe Andrew said Saturday that Giuliani’s departure and replacement by Lazio improved Clinton’s chances of winning.

“Lazio is more conservative--the lines [between Lazio and Clinton] are much clearer. He’ll be an easier candidate to beat,” Andrew said.

Lazio acknowledged facing an uphill battle against the first lady--one poll already showed her with a huge lead over Lazio. But he sounded an optimistic note to supporters who sported T-shirts reading, “Lazio--Made in New York.”

“Here in New York, we love underdogs,” Lazio told the cheering crowd. “I can’t call on Air Force One whenever I need a ride, but New Yorkers can count on me and call on me whenever they need something to get done.”

The location for Saturday’s announcement was selected to emphasize Lazio’s New York roots, a contrast with Clinton, who moved into Westchester County, north of New York City, just five months ago after declaring her intention to seek the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.