Lhota gets quiet backing from Queens GOP

Joe Lhota has the support of the Queens County Republican Party, but the mayoral candidate may not have wanted a public endorsement announcement to be made.

According to a source, reported Crain’s New York Business, Lhota didn’t hold an endorsement press conference and asked the party not to issue a press release on the backing because his “camp did not want to highlight dissension in the Queens Republican Party and in other Republican circles by publicizing the endorsement.”

Queens GOP first vice chairman James McClelland said it was a question of “exactly how to roll out the endorsement” because Lhota’s schedule was so tight and “how the press release should be worded.”

Our civic and sacred duty to hold onto hope

Talk It OUT: LGBTQ Voices In A Queer Election Year

The party sent The Courier the following statement from Chairman Phil Ragusa endorsing Lhota for mayor, which according to McClelland, was issued on Tuesday, October 22.

“As the Chairman of the Queens Republican Party, I am proud to announce our endorsement of Joe Lhota for Mayor. Joe is the only candidate who will preserve the gains we have seen over the last 20 years in safety, the economy and quality of life for all New Yorkers. People should never forget what life was like throughout this city prior to 1994 when criminals held neighborhoods hostage and people were scared to leave their homes. We need Joe Lhota to lead this city through the challenging economic times ahead and we need a chief executive who is willing to make the difficult decisions to ensure New York remains the greatest city in the world. Queens Republicans will do whatever it takes to help Joe Lhota win this race to keep New York City the shining city it has become.”

Lhota spokesperson Jessica Proud also said the campaign “didn’t have time to do a press conference.” Proud said she did not know anything about the press release.

“We are happy to have the support of Queens Republicans,” she said.

RECOMMENDED STORIES