The Bronx Republican Party today announced that it’s backing native Joe Lhota for mayor –the first GOP county organization to do so.
Bronx GOP chairman Jay Savino joked that Lhota – who was born in the South Bronx and raised in Pelham Bay – “sealed the deal” with the party executive committee members by telling stories about losing Spalding balls playing stickball and stoop ball in the neighborhood.
Savino also said Lhota’s role as a top deputy to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani also resonated with party leaders. Lhota was an important official in executing the quality of life achievements during the Giuiliani years, he said.
It’s a turnabout for Savino, who initially supported another Bronx man, former Democratic Borough President Adolfo Carrion. But Carrion, who switched his party registration to independent, has failed to garner the support necessary to qualify to run in the GOP primary. Carrion is running on the Independence Party line.
It was a good day for Lhota. All four Republicans on the City Council also endorsed him earlier today.
“I have all the respect in the world for the other Republicans running in this race,” said Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Queens).
“The question becomes who do we as the city elected officials look to for leadership. Clearly, our role models are in the Giuliani Administration and there’s no one further in front than Joe Lhota.”
Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-S.I.) said the neighborhoods represented by the GOP delegation “saw a turnaround” during the Giuliani years.
“The crime drop — unbelievable,” he said.
During a press conference on the steps of City Hall with the councilmen, Lhota said he would concentrate on issues such as jobs, economic development, “a laser like focus on crime reduction,” reorganizing the government and “getting our budget under control.”