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Rudy Giuliani Announces He's Voting For Donald Trump

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Donald Trump's bid for the White House is getting a boost from New York City's former mayor.

Rudy Giuliani is planning to vote for Trump in the upcoming New York Republican primary.

Giuliani's spokesman Jake Menges said Thursday that the former mayor considers Trump "a friend," and always believed he would back Trump over his rival Ted Cruz.

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Giuliani did not make an official endorsement because he won't be doing any campaigning on Trump's behalf.

"He's my friend, and I think of the candidates, of the choices that I have, he's the best choice for president," Giuliani told The New York Times. "He's a better choice than Cruz and a more realistic choice than Kasich."

Giuliani added, "The man that I know is not the man you see on television. He's a gentleman, he's a good father."

CBS2's Tony Aiello reported Thursday that Giuliani will be one of the New York delegates. The former mayor said that will give him "more sway" if it becomes a contested Republican convention.

Giuliani, who was the city's mayor when it was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, made a failed bid for the 2008 Republican nomination.

He has made several previous public appearances with Trump, including at a golf tournament last summer after Trump announced his candidacy.

The New York primary will be held April 19.

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