Rochester native Andrew Hollister to run for lieutenant governor for Libertarian Party

Rochester native Andrew Hollister was confirmed as the New York Libertarian Party's candidate for lieutenant governor at the party's annual convention last weekend.

Hollister will run on the November ballot alongside gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe, a Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur from the Bronx.

“Larry asked me to run for Lieutenant Governor because we share the same vision for New York,” Hollister said in a statement. “We envision a New York where there are jobs and opportunities. We envision a New York that families move to, not run away from.”

Hollister attended the Rochester Institute of Technology and started his own IT consulting business, which grew to employ six people. He has served as a volunteer emergency medical technician and made an unsuccessful run for Rochester City Council in 2017.

He says that his love for his home state of New York and desire to raise a family in it are pushing him to seek the responsibility of Lieutenant Governor.

“I’m running because New York is my home,” Hollister said. “My wife and I are planning for our family and we want the absolute best for our children. Right now, New York doesn’t provide that.”

A large field of candidates have announced their intentions to challenge incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was first elected in 2010 and re-elected four years later.

Activist and actor Cynthia Nixon will challenge Cuomo in a Democratic primary to be held in September. State Senator John DeFrancisco and Dutchess County executive Marcus Molinaro are seeking the Republican party nomination. Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra has said he intends to run as a Reform Party candidate.

SLAHMAN@Gannett.com