Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports about the chatter this week that Senate Republican Majority Leader John Flanagan may run for governor in 2018. Newsday spoke with three Republicans who have spoken with Flanagan about opposing current Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and quoted Flanagan saying he's thought about running for governor, "but is concentrated right now" on the work of the Senate. Flanagan previously predicted Republicans can win statewide. “Absolutely,” he said. “Look, ultimately it’s the public who decides, but if we establish the right priorities, we set the right agenda and we attract the right candidates, that’s a good recipe.” State GOP Chairman Ed Cox said Jan. 11, “He is a great majority leader in the Legislature, and I think that’s totally what he’s focused on,” Cox said. Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who ran in 2014, and Harry Wilson, a former candidate for state comptroller, are also being mentioned to run against Cuomo. A December Siena College poll, found 73 percent of New York voters didn’t know who the Senate majority leader was. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.