Mayor Bloomberg is backing former political foe Republican Queens Sen. Serph Maltese in his tough re-election - a move that could soothe the senate GOP as it battles to hang onto its one-vote majority, The Post has learned.
Bloomberg heaps praise on Maltese as "the best person to represent Queens and New York City....(he has) a long record of delivering," in a letter set to be sent to voters in the district, where the 20-year incumbent is facing a hard fight from Democratic City Councilman Joe Addabbo.
Maltese "has one of the finest records of any state senator in Albany," the letter says, adding that he "works tirelessly" on immigrant and other issues.
The move marks a turnaround move for Bloomberg, who Maltese crossedby backing the mayor's primary rival, Tom Ognibene, in his 2005re-election bid. His aides even privately tried - unsuccessfully - tocoax Addabbo to run against Maltese two years ago.
While he's said he'll back some Democrats this cycle, Bloomberg has been among the senate GOP's biggest backers, and has pledged privately to be "helpful" in their quest to keep the majority.
Bloomberg enjoys high approval ratings in the district, and is also expected to hit the stump in the 15th senate district with Maltese before election day, sources said.
The mayor has some legislative priorities in Albany that he needs help with - with retaining mayoral control of the school system at the top of the list.
This election year it's important to vote for "the best person, not straight down the party line," argues the registered independent Bloomberg in the letter, which begins "Dear fellow New Yorker."
Maltese has a "long record of delivering for the people of Queens and New York City," he says.
