The campaign manager for Rudy Giuliani’s successful mayoral re-election has defected and is now supporting Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for president, The Post has learned.
“I’m not voting for Rudy. I’m supporting Hillary Clinton. I’m an ‘ambassador’ for Hillary,” said Fran Reiter, who also served as deputy mayor during Giuliani’s first term.
Reiter was a leader in the Liberal Party whose votes helped Republican Giuliani defeat Democratic incumbent David Dinkins by a razor-thin margin to become mayor in 1993.
Reiter still says Giuliani was a “great mayor” who “fundamentally changed” New York City for the better and was “terrific to work for.”
She cited his administration’s success in cutting crime, improving the quality of life and bolstering the business climate by slashing taxes.
But Reiter – who is now a registered Democrat – complained he has fundamentally shifted his positions on key social issues like abortion and gun control and called his health-care plan “appalling.”
“He took a political turn to the right – clearly. It’s a much more ideological agenda,” Reiter said. “The progressive views he took he’s backed away from.”
Reiter said Clinton is more in sync with her positions on national security, social issues and health care.
“I have found Senator Clinton to be a thoughtful, moderate person,” Reiter said.
The Giuliani campaign dismissed the Reiter defection.
“We’ll trade Fran Reiter for Louis Freeh any time,” said a spokesman, referring to former President Bill Clinton’s FBI director who’s backing Giuliani.