BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Republican candidate for governor Marc Molinaro has made his first campaign stops in western New York before heading to New York City for his first appearance there as a candidate.

The 42-year-old Dutchess County executive kicked off his campaign Monday in his hometown of Tivoli and followed it up with a stop in Albany later in the day.

His next campaign stop was Wednesday morning at the Erie County GOP headquarters in Buffalo followed by a visit to the Rochester GOP headquarters Wednesday afternoon. He then headed downstate for a nighttime meeting with local Republican officials at the Knights of Columbus Council in the South Ozone Park section of Queens.

Molinaro is seeking the state GOP nomination to take on two-term Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is facing a primary challenge from "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon.

More From WIBX 950