NORWICH – Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino made an appearance in Chenango County on Tuesday to rally local voters for what is likely to be a long and highly contested campaign season leading to the November general election.

Supporters of Astorino gathered at a Tuesday morning meet and greet at Fred’s Inn in Norwich. The appearance marked Astorino’s first stop in Chenango since making his run for the Governor’s seat official back in March. It also marks the first time a Republican gubernatorial candidate has made an appearance in the county since George Pataki in 2002. Astorino is challenging incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo who was first elected in 2010 and will seek re-election on the Democrat line this year.

Chenango Republican Committee Chair Tom Morrone said Tuesday’s event provided an excellent opportunity for locals to share concerns about state policies and politics with Astorino and become more familiar with his stance on the issues that matter most to them.

Astorino is presently serving a second term as Westchester County Executive, a position he has held since 2009. During his tenure as county executive, Astorino has established a record of cutting spending in Westchester by 4 percent, reducing the county property tax levy by 2 percent, and creating nearly 30,000 new private jobs in the last four years. That, he said, will help leverage his campaign when voters head to the polls in November.