Battered New York GOP chooses Richard Nixon’s son-in-law Edward Cox as new chairman

NY GOP chooses Nixon son-in-law Cox as chairman

ALBANY, N.Y. — A Manhattan lawyer who is Richard Nixon’s son-in-law is the new leader of the New York Republicans.

Edward Cox was named state GOP chairman at a state committee meeting in Albany on Tuesday.

Cox is married to the late president’s daughter Tricia.

The party is looking to make some gains in elections next year. New York Republicans have not held a statewide post since Gov. George Pataki left office at the end of 2005.

Cox has corporate legal experience and a political pedigree that includes a grandfather who served in the state Assembly and sat on New York’s highest court. His lone flirtation with elective office was a 2006 Senate run. It fizzled before the primary.