Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has declined to endorse Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino and plans to sit out the race, sources told The Post.
Giuliani’s neutrality is a boost to Gov. Cuomo, the incumbent Democrat.
Cuomo, who has endured a week of withering criticism over his administration;s meddling in an anti-corruption panel, holds a double-digit lead and has amassed a $35 million warchest.
While Giuliani’s refusal to endorse the Republican candidate will raise eyebrows in GOP circles, sources note Giuliani loyalists are already backing Cuomo.
One of Giuliani’s closest confidantes, Anthony Carbonetti, has signed onto “Republicans for Cuomo.” That likely wouldn’t happen without Giulianis’ blessing, sources said.
Another former Giuliani City Hall aide, Susan Del Percio, recently took a top job in the Cuomo administration.
Giuliani has had close political and personal ties to Cuomo and his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo. In 1994, Giuliani crossed party lines to back Mario Cuomo’s failed bid for a fourth term, losing to George Pataki.
The Astorino campaign confirmed that a Giuliani endorsement is not in the cards.
“We have not pressed it because Rudy and the Cuomos have a long-standing relationship,” said Astorino spokesman Bill O’Riley.
But he added, `Our door is always open.”
Giuliani is not the only prominent Republican shunning Astorino.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, head of the Republican Governors Association, has refused to raise funds or stump for Astorino, saying his campaign is a :”lost cause.” Astorino slammed Christie for waving the white flag.