Weld Withdraws From Race for Governor

New York, NY —

William Weld, the former Republican governor of Massachusetts, is abandoning his quest to be the next governor of New York.

REPORTER: When Weld got into the race last summer, there was a golden-boy quality about him. Rudy Giuliani was said to be backing the bid, as was Governor Pataki. But the Weld campaign never sparked, Giuliani and Pataki remained well behind the scenes, and last week Weld was upstaged at the Republican State Convention by conservative former Assemblyman John Faso.

Today Weld said he's getting out and endorsing Faso.

WELD: There's a time when it's important to look beyond your own aspirations at a slightly bigger picture.

REPORTER: Faso joined Weld at his press conference in an office suite adjacent to the State Republican Committee. Just weeks ago, Faso was rejected as "extreme" by the head of the state Republican Party. But Weld now says Faso ran the better race, and that he agrees with him on most economic issues.