JOHNSTOWN — Libertarian Party gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe of Queens told members of the Pine Tree Rifle Club Wednesday night he is the only person that can defeat incumbent Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Nov. 6.

Repeatedly referring to Cuomo as “his majesty,” the 50-year-old Sharpe said his down-the-middle views are what the electorate is looking for.

“I’m the only one who has a chance of beating Cuomo,” Sharpe said. “When people hear who I am and see me, they want to vote for me.”

Addressing an admittedly, mostly Republican audience, Sharpe said Republican candidate Marc Molinaro won’t beat Cuomo.

“Everybody knows Marc Molinaro can’t win,’ he said. “Stop fooling yourself. This is a fantasy. He started running in April. This is a joke. He can’t break 30 to 35 percent. He can only get Republicans, that’s it. This state is not getting redder, it’s getting bluer. He’s taking my votes.”

He said the last E in his name stands for “electable.”

Sharpe is an American business consultant, entrepreneur, and political activist. On July 12, 2017, he announced his candidacy for governor. He said he’s been to all 62 counties in this campaign.

He was previously a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for vice president in 2016. Sharpe is the founder and managing director of Neo-Sage Group Inc. He is a strategic consultant for thought leaders in government, finance, law, technology, media, and healthcare. He is also a teacher and guest instructor who taught English, management, and business at universities such as Yale, Columbia, and John Jay College

He served in the Marine Corps, from 1986 to 1993, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Maryland University College.

Sharpe and his wife, Georgia, have two daughters — Barbra and Josephine.

The candidate told the Pine Tree Rifle Club he’s a self-made man who grew up in Manhattan and whose father died young and his mother was a drug addict who went to prison. But he said he eventually started a business for her from which she retired, and he later started his own business.

“New York state is more than New York City, but it’s true,” Sharpe said to laughs.

He said he is in this gubernatorial race because: “I don’t want to move.” He said he loves all aspects of the Empire State — from the Adirondacks to the biggest city in America. But he also said the state is in a “death spiral,” with droves leaving annually.

“New York is so horrible, it literally breaks up families,” Sharpe said.

Most of his speech railed on stagnant Democrats running Albany for many years, asking: “Do you see any humility?” He also said Republicans have “no ideas” to make things better.

“That’s why I’m making a difference,” Sharpe said. “I’m never going to get you to agree with me 100 percent. I’m looking for 80 percent. This is a massive state. I want counties to be counties and regions to be regions.”

He also said he wants to focus on “happiness” for New Yorkers, stating: “Happy people stay in New York.”

During a question and answer session, Sharpe said he will “absolutely own” the Republican-controlled state Senate within 90 days of taking office in January. He said he wants to provide surplus funds to counties and local districts that are heavily burdened by state mandates.

On the Second Amendment, Sharpe said Democrats are working to whittle it away as Republicans have “no stance.”

“I love all of our Bill of Rights,” he said.

But Sharpe said the First Amendment is the most important and the Second Amendment is “supposed to protect the first.”

“I support the Second Amendment completely,” he said.

Sharpe said the Safe Act “must go” before New York state becomes “an eventual police state.”

“I will get the Safe Act repealed by 2020,” he said. “People that are pro-Safe Act aren’t angry, they’re ignorant. It made millions of New York people criminals overnight.”

Summing up his political strategy, Sharpe said 60 to 70 percent of registered New York state voters won’t vote Nov. 6. He said he’s going for those people, especially about four million gun owners in that category.

“I’m getting people to show up, I’m getting people who care,” he said.

Labeling himself “not an open borders guy,” Sharpe said he fears New York will become a “sanctuary state.” He said he would let local counties deal with immigration enforcement.

“I will let local law enforcement dictate what is correct,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe was asked how he can afford to give surpluses back to counties when New York is in a deficit. He responded with a multi-pronged plan to raise revenue that includes ending state mandates.

“I want you to actually start your budget at zero,” Sharpe said.

His plan also includes: supporting small businesses and farms, promoting creation of “craft” products in New York state, promotion of hemp and cannabis products, simplifying the tax code, raising money by having corporations sponsor bridges and Erie Canal locks, and ending tolls.

“If you know something, tell me,” Sharpe said. “We’ll fix it together.”

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at manich@leaderherald.com.