The biggest fundraiser for Democratic mayoral candidate Bill Thompson turns out to be Randy Mastro, a former deputy mayor in the Giuliani Administration.
“Really?” Mastro said when notified by The Post that he had rounded up more than anyone else for the former comptroller, $58,600, according to filings at the Campaign Finance Board.
Mastro said he’s known Thompson since both served in city government in the mid-90’s, when Thompson was president of the old Board of Education and Mastro was a top aide to then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
When Thompson sued to try to block the extension of term limits in 2008, Mastro served as his lawyer.
“I have friends who I respect running for mayor — now I have multiple friends I respect,” chuckled Mastro, referring to the probable entry of another former Giuliani deputy, Joe Lhota, into the mayor’s race on the Republican side.
Mastro said he also intends to help Lhota.
So who’s he going back if there’s a showdown between the two in the general election?
Mastro’s response was Solomon-like: “The city should be so fortunate on primary day to nominate two such stellar candidates.”
Another ex-Giuliani aide who may writing two checks in the mayor’s race is Randy Levine, who is now the president of the Yankees.
Records show he contributed $4.950, the maximum allowed, to City Council President Christine Quinn, who is leading the Democratic field of contenders.
No. 2 on Thompson’s list of “intermediaries” who round up contributions for candidates was former Republican Sen. Al D’Amato, who pulled in $47,550.
D’Amato, now working as a lobbyist, has made no secret of his support for Thompson, having held a huge pre-Christmas fundraiser for him at Club 101 on Park Avenue.
One source said D’Amato didn’t stop there.
“He was at an event and he was hitting up everyone for Bill Thompson,” said the source. “My guess is he thinks he’s a winner.”