Bill de Blasio would rely on seasoned hands to advise him on forming the first Democratic administration at City Hall in 20 years if he’s elected mayor.
Sources said the front-running Democratic candidate has reached out to veterans who served under previous mayors — even in the Bloomberg administration — to help him form a new government.
“He is being very careful,” said one source. “He doesn’t want to discuss jobs. He doesn’t want to be like Mark Green, measuring the curtains [at Gracie Mansion] before he gets elected.”
Green, de Blasio’s predecessor as public advocate, was the favorite in the 2001 mayor’s race that Mike Bloomberg won in a stunning upset.
But sources said that doesn’t mean that the names of prospective job applicants aren’t being bandied about.
Among those lining up to provide transition advice to de Blasio are John Banks, who served as chief of staff to to former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr.; Norman Steisel, a deputy mayor in the Dinkins administration; lobbyist Sid Davidoff, who served under Mayor John Lindsay; and Peter Madonia, who was chief of staff during Mayor Bloomberg’s first term.
Steve Aiello, the p.r. titan who serves as unofficial adviser to de Blasio, said he’s already mulling over some names as potential appointees.
“Bill de Blasio is focused on winning the election,” a rep for the de Blasio campaign said in a statement. “There is no transition effort under way and no names under consideration for anything, and any rumors to the contrary are false.”