Stephen Goldsmith, a former Indianapolis mayor and Manhattan Institute bigwig, is expected to replace outgoing Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler — a move that could position the City Hall newcomer to run for the top job down the road.
Sources said Goldsmith would be assuming the job of deputy mayor for operations, a wide-ranging post that Skyler held for several years and that includes helping manage key agencies, including the NYPD and FDNY.
He will be, as Skyler was, the lone Republican at City Hall.
The appointment is expected to be announced today, Skyler’s final day in office.
Skyler, who has served with Mayor Bloomberg for nine years, will be taking a communications job at Citigroup.
Goldsmith advised Rudy Giuliani in his 2008 presidential race. He was also a policy adviser to President George W. Bush in 2000 for his campaign.
Goldsmith served two terms as the mayor of Indianapolis, from 1992 to 2000. He also ran for Indiana governor in 1996, losing the race by about 5 points.
The selection of Goldsmith is a bit of a surprise, since Skyler had been a longtime Bloomberg aide before his own appointment and was already deeply trusted by the mayor. Initial speculation had centered on older government hands.
City Hall officials declined comment.