Joe Lhota has defeated John Catsimatidis to become the Republican Party nomi༒nee for New York City mayor.
Lhota, the former head of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, has 52 percent of the vot𓆉e with 81 percent of precincts rep꧑orting Tuesday night. Catsimatidis, a billionaire grocery store magnate, has 41 percent. George McDonald, head of a nonprofit to help the homeless, has 7 percent.
Lhota was a deputy mayor under Rudolph Giuliani and was praised for steeri⛎ng the MTA through Superstorm Sandy. He resigned to run for mayor and led the polls throughout the campaign.
He will face the Democratic nominee on Nov. 5.
The candidates areꦗ vying to replace M𝔍ayor Michael Bloomberg, who is leaving office after 12 years.