Former Sen. Al D’Amato is endorsing John DeFrancisco in the Republican primary for governor.
“The strongest candidate is John DeFrancisco. If there’s a Republican party primary, I would support him,” D’Amato said.
DeFrancisco, a state senator since 1992, faces a GOP challenge from Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, who will formally launch his candidacy on April 2 and has lined up the backing of most major GOP county leaders.
But D’Amato said, “DeFrancisco knows state budget issues. He would be formidable.”
D’Amato’s support for DeFrancisco will surely raise eyebrows in political circles.
Last November, D’Amato, a powerhouse lobbyist who works both sides of the aisle, told The Post that Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo has “done a good job.” He backed Cuomo four years ago.
One of D’Amato’s former business associates, Joel Giambra, is also running for governor, pushing to legalize marijuana and seeking backing from the tiny Reform Party.
And a managing director at D’Amato’s Park Strategies firm, David Catalfamo, is chummy with Molinaro.
Asked which candidate he would support in the general election, Cuomo or DeFrancisco, D’Amato said, “I’m not taking a position.”