Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo received the backing of Mayor Michael Bloomberg today, on the heels of a new poll that shows his Republican rival gaining support heading into the November election.

Bloomberg cited Cuomo’s fight against illegal guns and corruption in Albany, and his financial experience as the reasons for his “strong” endorsement.

“I think he’s the kind of effective leader who can clean up the state Capitol, get government working, and get our state back on track,” said the mayor. “And that’s why I’m endorsing Andrew Cuomo for governor.”

The mayor, who had previously said he would stay out of the gubernatorial race, also called on other independents to join the support for the state’s current attorney general.

“The dysfunction of Albany has metastasized into the corruption of Albany,” said Cuomo. ” The state government just isn’t working. The state government has to change, and that’s a comment on both sides of the political aisle.”

The announcement comes on the same day as the release of the latest Quinnipiac University survey, which finds likely voters are almost ready to start calling Carl Paladino governor. A few days ago, many New Yorkers didn’t even know him.

But now the Quinnipiac poll finds the Republican nominee is within six points of Cuomo.

The Democrat leads the Republican 49-43 percent, with seven undecided. The Quinnipiac poll questioned 751 likely voters from last Thursday through Monday with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points.

Cuomo attributed Paladino’s surge in the poll as a result of his recent press and his big primary win.

According to the poll, voters want change in Albany and believe Paladino can bring it. Moreover, Cuomo is simply not winning the war of putting Republicans and independents in his corner.

Cuomo has Democrats locked up, 87-8. But with Republicans, Paladino leads 83-13 percent. Independents also favor Paladino, 49-43.

The poll does not include Rick Lazio, who is on the Conservative Party line and could take away votes from Paladino if he ends up running. But it also doesn’t include left-leaning candidates who may do the same with Cuomo.

Lazio won’t say whether he’ll drop his run on the Conservative Party line. The party’s chairman says he’s been talking with Lazio about stepping aside and supporting Paladino.

(Source: NY1)