Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota thinks his rival Bill de Blasio has put fellow Democrat Andrew Cuomo in an “awkward situation.”

While Cuomo has “unequivocally” endorsed de Blasio, he had warm words for both candidates.

“I worked with both candidates. I worked with Joe Lhota at the MTA as governor. I worked with Bill de Blasio as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Bill was extraordinary in what he did, his understanding of urban issues, his ability to get things done in a complex political structure,” Cuomo told reporters before marching in the Coloombus Day parade, “Joe Lhota…did a very good job at the MTA. I worked with him through Hurricane Sandy. So he performed very well.”

“I’ve worked with them both. I worked with them in different capacities. I’m supporting Bill de Blasio for mayor and I’m doing that unequivocally. But the people will now make their decisions,” he said.

In what can be seen as a key difference in policy between the Governor and his candidate for mayor, Mr. Cuomo stopped short of backing de Blasio’s positions on charter schools, according to The Daily News’ Erin Durkin. “I support charter schools. I think they’re an important piece of the puzzle. And there will be a conversation next year at the state legislature in terms of how to regulate the charter schools,” he said.

Asked about Cuomo’s comments, Lhota insisted the two are very different kinds of Democrats.

“Bill de Blasio has put the governor in an awkward situation. Yes, they are Democrats, but the governor’s positions on charter schools, on jobs, on job creation, about taxes and tax reductions are the complete opposite of Bill de Blasio’s,” he said.

“The governor’s been on the right side of most issues, and Bill de Blasio’s been on the wrong side of most issues,” he added.

Photo: Jon Lemire – Twitter

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)