Exclusive | tough, nyc lawyer may run for mayor as republican to beat dem 'socialists, grifters'

A hard-charging NYC lawyer may follow in the footsteps of ex-mayors Mike Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani by shifting course to run as a Republican, The Post has learned. Jim Walden, currently an

independent who vows to fight corruption in NYC government, has started meeting with local GOP leaders to seek their support, he confirmed. “My goals will always be governed by common

sense,” Walden said. “But many of them align with centrist Republicans. I believe in safety as the first priority, fiscal responsibility, cutting waste and promoting efficiency in government

agencies.” No Republican has yet declared their candidacy for mayor, although radio personality and Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa has said he plans to run. Seven others are challenging Mayor

Adams, who is trying to convince the feds to drop corruption charges against him. EXPLORE MORE “As I have traveled the city and spoken to supporters, many have urged me to run as a

Republican, given the terrible candidates the Democratic machine has produced: socialists, grifters, and opportunists,” Walden told The Post. Walden vows “to collaborate with the Trump

administration on issues that matter to NYC,” he said. A former federal prosecutor who took down mobsters, Walden has sued the city Department of Education over accusations it failed to

address bullying, and for alleged antisemitism in a Brooklyn high school. Walden, 59, left the Democratic party in 2006.