Leading in the polls but lagging in the money game, Republican mayoral hopeful Joe Lhota has received a major boost in getting into the finish line and play it competitive in the general with the help of the Koch family.
Politicker reports:
David Koch and his wife, Julia, have each contributed $145,050 to �New Yorkers for Proven Leadership,� which will begin airing television ads tomorrow touting the former MTA chairman and deputy mayor, sources said.
�We believe that Joe Lhota represents the best hope for the future of the city so we can deal with the fiscal crisis that we�re facing in a responsible way so that we can continue to promote good jobs, safe streets and keep the city moving forward in the right direction,� the group�s spokesman, Michael McKeon, told Politicker this evening.
To kick off their efforts, the group will be running two-15-minute �bookend� spots, produced by Something Else Strategies�s Heath Thompson and Lori Raad�vets of Rudy Giuliani�s 2008 presidential campaign. The first, entitled �Ready,� features upbeat music and an early-90s-looking background, and heavily touts Mr. Giuliani�s endorsement, while declaring Mr. Lhota the only candidate who will keep the crime rate in check the �take on the fiscal crisis.� The second, titled �Joe Knows� touts, takes a more serious tone, touting Mr. Lhota�s �strong conservative leadership,� his experience with �crisis,� and �results.�
In the most recent poll, released Tuesday, Mr. Lhota leads his main rival, John Catsimatidis by 24 points.
(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)
