George Pataki, former New York governor and 2016 Republican presidential candidate, joined Capital Tonight on Friday from Saratoga to talk about the latest charges against former President Donald Trump, politics on the presidential and state level and the recent influx of migrants to the Empire State.

Trump on Thursdsay surrendered to authorities in Fulton County, Georgia, on charges related to his alleged efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Pataki, who has been critical of the former president, said the former president’s “behavior after the election was reprehensible and really disqualifying if you want to be president of the United States,” but added that “some of the charges are a real stretch.”

Regarding the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Pataki said, “the Republican Party has got to come up with a better candidate (over Trump), someone who can actually win next November.”

One of those candidates may have been on the stage at this week’s GOP primary debate. Pataki opined that South Carolina Senator Tim Scott made some good points on education, while former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley seemed strong on foreign policy.

Turning to the state level, Pataki, the most successful Republican statewide candidate in nearly three decades, said it is entirely “realistic” to see a GOP candidate win statewide in New York.

He said most voters “want a government that works, that makes their lives simpler and better, that doesn’t tax them out of existence,” and a candidate that can speak to that can win statewide.

With the recent influx of migrants, the 53rd governor said he agrees with Kathy Hochul’s call for action from the federal government. However, he says he would require New York City to repeal its “sanctuary” status before giving more help.