Rudy Giuliani is launching a new fund-raising committee to dole out cash to New York GOP candidates – a move that could help him collect political chits as he weighs a run for governor, The Post has learned.
It’s the first major political move by the former mayor since his run for president flamed out in January.
The Giuliani camp is expected to announce the creation of the committee as early as Monday. The same day, he’ll hold a small fund-raiser at the Grand Havana Room on Fifth Avenue for his existing federal political action committee, Solutions America.
Sources close to Giuliani said the state fund-raising venture is simply “him keeping his options open” for his future. But several sources say the former mayor is eyeing a gubernatorial run in 2010.
The sources said the fund will focus on several races around the state, but the main emphasis will be helping Republicans retain a majority in the Senate.
Political insiders said the move suggests Giuliani is trying to rebuild his political clout after his disappointing presidential bid – and doesn’t now have a natural platform that an elective office would provide.
He’s also trying to recoup his earning potential in the private sector. Some political insiders point out privately that the fund could also help enhance the profile of his pared-down consulting business.
It’s unclear how much Giuliani hopes to raise for the fund, with less than four months until Election Day.
Giuliani is still trying to retire more than $3 million in debt from his presidential campaign, and has paid off nearly $1 million from his own pocket.
Still, his move comes at a time when the state Republican Party is struggling to retain a top position in Albany after November.
His camp has recently made inroads with state Senate Republicans – including seeing the ex-mayor’s longtime aide, Matt Mahoney, brought in to run the Senate GOP campaign committee.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-LI) yesterday announced his lineup of 11 campaign aides for the election, five of whom have ties to Giuliani and his presidential campaign.
At the same time, term-limited Mayor Bloomberg – a longtime contributor to the Senate GOP – is said to be keeping open the possibility of running for governor.
The Post reported recently that Bloomberg’s top political adviser, Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey, made a pitch to former state Sen. Ray Meier to lead the embattled state GOP.
One senior Giuliani source downplayed the personal impact of the new fund-raising committee.
“Everything Rudy does this year is geared toward helping Republicans nationally and statewide, similar to the last three cycles, where he campaigned tirelessly on behalf of many candidates,” the source said.
“Any speculation on his future should wait until after the next election.”