New York City is one of the most liberal cities in the nation, yet the Republican Party has won its last five mayoral elections.

But the GOP’s eventual nominee this year will face steep odds in trying to make it six.

The contenders are Joe Lhota, former head of the region’s transit authority, John Catsimatidis, billionaire supermarket magnate, and George McDonald, founder of a nonprofit that finds jobs for the homeless.

Polls have them trailing their Democratic rivals.

The last two Republican mayors were both initially elected in part due to extraordinary circumstances; high-crime for Giuliani, the Sept. 11 terror attack for Bloomberg.

But a pundit argues that Republicans may benefit from “contentious” Democratic primary, which could leave the winner’s reputation damaged.

(AP)