Mendon, NY & Florida --- Billionaire Tom Golisano is now a legal resident of Florida. Speaking by phone with me from Florida, the Paychex founder confirmed his residency has been officially changed; something he vowed he would do last year after expressing disgust with Albany politics and high taxes in New York.
However, Golisano still owns a home in Mendon, and it happens to be in the 29th Congressional District. On Monday, March 8th at 5 p.m., Rep. Eric Massa intends to resign that House Seat amid concerns for his own health and a House Ethics Committee investigation.
As I understand it, Golisano, who’s never shied away from a political fight and was thrice a Gubernatorial Candidate, would be unable to run for NY-29 seat if Governor Paterson scheduled a special election in the near future because he would not be a legal resident of N.Y. at the time he was sworn into office. But a run in November to be sworn in January 2011 would surely be enough time to change his legal residence.
Golisano also maintains a political action committee – Responsible New York – that could potentially involve itself in a special election. Thanks to a monumental Supreme Court Ruling on campaign finance, Golisano’s PAC could spend any amount of money it wished on advertising in the district. But when asked about whether he or Responsible New York would involve itself in this race Golisano said “no comment” and later added it’s much too soon to say anything on this topic.
In the interest of full disclosure, I had not heard anyone whisper Golisano’s name in any way, shape, or form over the last three days. But knowing about his Mendon home and his ever-present interest in politics I thought I had to ask.
