Politics & Government

Andrea Developer Makes Shortlist of GOP Mayoral Hopefuls

John Catsimatidis named top party pick.

John Catsimatidis, developer of The Andrea condo building and owner of Red Apple Supermarket, emerged as the Republican Party's first choice to replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg, according to the New York Times.

Problem is, Catsimatidis may not be in the running for the job.

"I've been supporting [NYPD commissioner] Ray Kelly. I'm in the bullpen if Ray Kelly doesn't do it," the Times reported the billionaire supermarket owner as saying.

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But Kelly has said he does not intend to run and would prefer to throw his support behind Catsimatidis, according to a report in The Huffington Post.

The speculation comes as a panel of five GOP county chairman named the Gristedes supermarket chief as their top pick this week for their party's support in the 2013 mayoral race.

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GOP Manhattan chairman Dan Isaacs said they intend to stick to their standard process and won't hold the door open for a last-minute change-of-heart by Kelly, the Times reported.

If neither Catsimatidis nor Kelly decide to run, party leadership said they would look to newspaper publisher Tom Allon as the next choice.

In the run up to the in Fort Greene last year, by some residents for a decision to raze a nearby Associated supermarket to make way for new development.

The following is a list of those who have either expressed interest or been mentioned by GOP leaders as possible choices.

Name Noteworthiness Currently Supports Adolfo Carrión Jr. Former Bronx Borough president, former director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, former director of Hud for New York and New Jersey
Diana Taylor Former New York State Superintendent of Banks, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's girlfriend
Eva Moskowitz Former City Councilmember, founder of Success Academy Charter Schools
John Catsimatidis Billionaire supermarket owner Ray Kelly Ray Kelly Commissioner of police John Catsimatidis Richard Grasso Former chairman and chief executive of the New York Stock Exchange Ray Kelly State Senator Martin Golden Assistant Senate majority whip
Tom Allon Newspaper publisher


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