1/14/2013
By Ivan Pereira
Former MTA Chief Joe Lhota confirmed the worst-kept secret in the city’s political scene Monday when he said he’s filing the paperwork for his mayoral run at the end of the week.
Lhota, a former deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani, told the members of the New York Building Congress during its annual membership meeting his decision to resign from the MTA last month was a tough one, but he aims to help the city move forward.
“I would not have left the MTA, a job and position that I loved, if I was not going to run for mayor of New York,” Lhota said Monday.
Lhota, 57, touted the MTA’s protecting of the subway system during Superstorm Sandy and its round-the-clock efforts to get the system back running.
Experts say Lhota, who will likely run as a Republican, is taking the right steps in his bid.
Andrew Moesel, a political consultant for Sheinkopf Communications, said the candidate has to give voters an idea of who he is and raise money quickly.
Lhota’s speech at the NYBC’s luncheon would help him play catch up in fundraising with other potential candidates, Moesel added.
Lhota served many high-level positions before beginning his term at the MTA, which lasted less than one year. The positions included deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani.
Giuliani told CBS 2 last month he thinks Lhota would make a good mayor.
But Joe Reubens, a political director at consulting firm The Parkside Group, said the support might have a downside: Many voters aren’t fans of the ex-mayor.
“While it may be helpful in a Republican primary, I don’t think it’s positive in the general election,” Reubens said of Giuliani’s support.
Despite his GOP ties, Lhota has expressed support for same-sex marriages and the legalization of marijuana.
Christina Greer, an assistant professor of political science at Fordham University, said voters should expect to see more of Lhota promoting his moderate views and his time managing the MTA in order to counter the negativity surrounding the March fare hikes.
