The New York Daily News is backing former Metropolitan Transit Authority chief Joe Lhota in the Republican mayoral primary.

The Daily News endorsed Lhota in an editorial published Sunday. The paper cited his high-level government service and praised his work getting transit moving again after Superstorm Sandy.

The Daily News editorial calls Lhota “superbly qualified.” It says he “offers a clear vision of a city government that is compassionate, cost-effective and dedicated to delivering measurable results.”

Lhota is the front-runner in the GOP primary, leading billionaire John Catsimatidis and nonprofit founder George McDonald.

The paper previously endorsed City Council Speaker Christine Quinn on the Democratic side.

The primaries are Sept. 10 with the general election on Nov. 5.

(AP)