William Weld, former governor of Massachusetts, announced he will run for governor of New York. Qualifications for the job include New York roots, charisma, criminal justice experience, and a deep understanding of politics and government.

Let’s start with New York roots. Although Mr. Weld may be criticized as a carpetbagger because he moved to New York only five years ago, his family has a long and prominent history in the state. Mr. Weld was born and raised in Smithtown, Long Island, on a 600-acre farm, now called Blydenburgh Park. His grandfather Francis Minot Weld founded the blue chip investment bank White, Weld & Co. in the early 1900s, which was later bought by Merrill Lynch in the 1970s.

If you take a drive out to Long Island, you may ride along William Floyd Parkway, named after the man chosen to represent New York in the First Continental Congress and who was the first delegate from New York to sign the Declaration of Independence. William F. Weld, aka William Floyd Weld, was named after his direct ancestor, William Floyd. Mr. Weld’s family history in New York, whether through Wall Street or Long Island, is not insignificant.

A more important connection to New York is Mr. Weld’s relationship with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. In 1981, Mr. Giuliani recommended that President Reagan appoint Mr. Weld as U.S. attorney in Massachusetts. Mr. Giuliani campaigned for Mr. Weld when he ran for governor of Massachusetts, and he is currently chairman of Mr. Weld’s private equity firm, Leeds, Weld & Co. His support for Mr. Weld will be invaluable in the governor’s race.

Politics is as much about personality as it is about issues. Mr. Weld was popular in Massachusetts in large measure because of his natural ability to act plebian even if his background is more patrician. He connects with average voters. He went to rock concerts, attended Patriots football games, and listened to the Rolling Stones and the Who, his favorite bands. During his campaign against Senator Kerry, Mr. Weld dove headfirst into the Charles River during a press conference to show his support for the environment. He’s better than charismatic: He’s quirky, and his personality is in stark contrast to Eliot Spitzer’s prosecutorial demeanor.

Mr. Weld’s greatest strength, however, will be his experience running state government. When he became governor of Massachusetts in 1991, the state faced a $1.3 billion deficit, the unemployment rate was 9.1% – 2.3% above the national average – and Massachusetts ranked second nationally in terms of highest state and local personal income taxes per capita. The state’s bond rating, a broad measure of the state’s fiscal condition, was BBB – one grade above junk bond status.

The Weld after-picture told a markedly different story: 19 tax cuts, Medicaid reform, one of the toughest welfare reform laws in the country, three bond upgrades from Wall Street, a surplus in the Stabilization Fund, and six balanced budgets. In 1997,the year Mr. Weld left office, it took 15,000 fewer employees to run the government’s operations than it did in 1988, even though state expenditures had grown 58%.

Just as important as his record is his ability to work with both Republicans and Democrats. Mr. Weld’s favorite maxim, “Never mind who gets the credit,” was the key to his success in building bipartisan support in Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states in the country where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-1 in the legislature and Republicans comprise just 12% of registered voters.

As in Massachusetts, Mr. Weld’s centrist views would reach a broad cross section of New York voters. He appeals to Republicans because he’s a hawk on crime, welfare, and taxes. But he can also win over moderate Democrats and Independents because he’s prochoice, fights for the environment, and is more moderate on social issues.

Mr. Spitzer’s experience as a tough prosecutor will be his major selling point during the campaign. But William Weld also has experience with criminal justice issues: He served as associate minority counsel on the House Watergate Committee, U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, and then associate attorney general in charge of the Criminal Division in the Reagan Justice Department. Like Mr. Spitzer, Mr. Weld has a strong track record on public corruption and white-collar crime. But unlike Mr. Spitzer, he has a long record of accomplishment on other major issues, such as tax and fiscal policy, the environment, and welfare reform. Mr. Spitzer is less tested in these areas.

Mr. Weld will face a difficult campaign against the popular and well-funded Spitzer. But he seems to take pleasure in chasing goals that other people think he can’t achieve. This is a man who resigned in protest from the Reagan Justice Department, threatened a floor fight on abortion at the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego, fought Senator John F. Kerry in eight televised debates, and publicly challenged Republican Senator Helms over his nomination to become ambassador to Mexico. If anyone has the tenacity to seriously challenge Mr. Spitzer, it’s William Weld.

Mr.Stimpson, an aide to Mr.Weld when he was governor of Massachusetts, is currently writing a book about Mr. Weld.