Garesby Exploring Run For Governor

Popular mayor is a seasoned moderate

HARRISPORT, Harvannah--The popular Conservative mayor of Harrisport, George Garesby, is considering a run for governor, sources close to the mayor say.

Garesby originally was uninterested in running. But in recent weeks, state Senate President Jim Fribenzi and the party's 2008 December election nominee, businessman Bill Barnes, have both declined to run against incumbent Gov. Mark Andres (NAT), who is up for re-election in 2012.

Without Fribenzi or Barnes, the party has few viable options. The frontrunners so far appear to be Attorney General Julia Giorchani, who ran unsuccessfully against Andres in a special election in the spring of 2008, and businessman Rich Tuller, who serves as CEO of H-Tel, a Harlyne-based telecommunications company.

Many party insiders view Giorchani as too combative and Tuller as too gaffe-prone. Garesby, however, is a veteran politician with middle-of-the-road views and experience, and many party insiders believe his many years as a mayor and community leader would match up well against Andres' years as mayor of Harlyne.

Friends close to Garesby say the mayor, who is a well-respected moderate, is reconsidering his previous decision not to run, and is quietly building a campaign staff.

Those same sources, who asked not to be identified because they're not permitted to talk to the media, told Clevey Springs political reporter Carl Orsbad that Garesby met with Fribenzi to discuss a possible campaign. Neither Garesby nor Fribenzi would confirm that report.

Neither Giorchani or Tuller have formally announced they're running, though most believe they will. Giorchani did not want to comment for this story and Tuller was unavailable for comment.