Joe Lhota isn’t the only Republican making moves in the mayoral race — advocate for the homeless George McDonald is staffing up ahead of a formal campaign launch next week, The Post has learned.
McDonald, the longtime head of the homeless charity The Doe Fund, is set to announce his candidacy Thursday at Grand Central Terminal, a campaign insider said.
With Lhota, the former MTA chair, John Catsimatidis, the grocery magnate, and former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión all lining up to run, many see McDonald as a bit player in the race.
Still, he’s charging ahead by raising campaign cash and assembling a team of GOP insiders, including Lynn Krogh, a former political director to Rick Lazio’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, and strategist Vince Casale, as top political advisers.
McDonald is also planning a battle with the city’s Campaign Finance Board, which limits contributions to $4,950 — far lower than the state limit of $60,800 — even when candidates aren’t taking matching funds.
An aide wouldn’t say how much money McDonald has raised ahead of the first finance disclosures due Jan. 15.
McDonald has come under scrutiny in the past for the lavish salary he draws from The Doe Fund. In 2011, McDonald paid himself almost $500,000, while his wife and son together earned more than $400,000, according to the latest tax filings.