Joe Lhota is out with a new TV commercial that, for the first time, features him speaking directly to voters.
Addressing the camera, the Republican mayoral candidate introduces himself then goes right into into a pitch about public safety, his central campaign theme.
“New York is the greatest city in the world, but we are one bad mayor from unsafe streets, failing schools and fiscal chaos,” Lhota says.
“Keeping out families safe will be my top priority.”
Lhota’s campaign didn’t say how much it was spending on the ad.
With a 39-point lead in the latest poll, Democratic rival Bill de Blasio is finding contributions gushing into his campaign, allow him to outspend Lhota in the final days of the race.
While de Blasio’s ads have prominently featured his family and made celebrities of his kids, Lhota appears alone.
On a radio show Thursday, Lhota repeated that anyone who votes for a candidate based on their family is “is making a big mistake,” noting Mayor Ed Koch was a great mayor and was single.
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Lhota’s old boss, is expected to campaign with him for the first time this weekend.