John Catsimatidis might not be considered the favorite in the GOP primary to take on the Democratic mayoral nominee, but he is definitely ramping up early support among the party's power brokers.
A source close to the three-term Republican governor, George Pataki, told the NY Post that Pataki could announce his support of his fellow Republican as soon as this week. “It’s expected soon,” the Pataki insider said.
The NY post calls "the Catsimatidis campaign’s biggest catch yet and could help offset the all-out support former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is giving GOP front-runner Joe Lhota, the ex-MTA chairman."
Another big gig is the Brooklyn GOP chairman, Craig Eaton who is the master behind the Republican victories in 2011-2012, with the stunning election of former congressman Bob Turner in September of 2011 and Senator David Storobin's upset in March 2012.
Early on in the mayoral race, Craig Eaton, was solidly in the corner of former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, whom he declared to be a potential “gamechanger” for the party as it seeks to retain its hold on City Hall. Hence, Mr. Carrión has only been able to secure the backing of two, out of three needed to run in the GOP primaries, since he's registered as an Independent. Now, Mr. Eaton told Politicker, is “leaning heavily” towards endorsing billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis.
“We’ve been friends with John Catsimatidis a long time and we supported him last go around [in 2009] when he was looking to run,” Mr. Eaton told Colin Campbell Monday afternoon. “We were on the sidelines with Adolfo since he came into the race and were looking to endorse Adolfo. However, it doesn’t appear that we’re going to get a third Republican chairman on board. About a month ago, I mentioned that if we don’t get a third Republican chairman on board, then John would probably be the heir-apparent of the Brooklyn GOP. … You can say that we’re leaning John Catsimatidis at this point. ”
Should he endorse Mr. Catsimatidis, Mr. Eaton would be joining the Queens and Manhattan GOP chairmen who have already declared their support for Mr. Catsimatidis.
In Bob Turner's failed Senate bid in the GOP primary in June, 2012, Craig Eaton delivered 80% of the Brooklyn vote for Turner.
In addition, Bronx’s Jay Savino, who was the second chairman backing Mr. Carrión, is also reportedly set to switch over to Mr. Catsimatidis. Staten Island is now the only county up for grabs, which will likely go for Joe Lhota.
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