Former Gov. George Pataki brushed aside questions about the possibility of Steve Levy, the Suffolk Democrat being wooed by some Republican leaders to run as the party’s gubernatorial hopeful, eclipsing his own preferred pick, Rick Lazio, at an official endorsement press conference today.

“I think the fact that others are looking at other options is fine,” Pataki said. “And as I’ve said, I’ve done that. And I beklieve the right person, the best person for the party and more importantly for the state is Rick Lazio.”

Pataki was one of two official backings Lazio picked up today – the other was Long Island Rep. Pete King, the candidate’s former colleague when he himself was in the House over a decade ago.

The endorsements had been expected, but their timing seemed cued to blunt any momentum Levy attracts in his potential bid to run on the R line this fall.