Larry Di Ianni endorses Fred Eisenberger in Hamilton mayoral race

Ex-Hamilton mayor Larry Di Ianni has announced his support for his former rival Fred Eisenberger.

With Eisenbergerstanding at his side, Di Iannimade the endorsement during a Wednesday morning news conference at the Powerhouse restaurant in Stoney Creek.

"Hes tried to create a team, and sometimes even a team of rivals which strengthens, I think, and shows a maturity and leadership," Di Ianni told a group of less than a dozen campaign officials and reporters.

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Eisenbergercalled DiIannia great friend and thanked him for his support.

I'm really look forward to working with you, Larry, on the campaign, he said.

He said therole DiIanniwill play hasnt yet been decided.

"We havent worked out specifics. Itd be spectacular if we both put our shoulder to the wheel to make our city better," said Eisenberger.

Di Ianni, who served as Hamiltons mayor from 2003 to 2006, lost to Eisenberger in the 2006 mayoral election.

Current mayor Bob Bratina beat out both men in the 2010 vote, with Di Ianni edging out Eisenberger by fewer than 1,500 votes to secure second place.

Di Ianni had said he was considering running for the mayoralty in October's municipal election, but announcedin April that he would not be entering the race.

He said Eisenberger's investments in the city's economic development office and his "balanced approach" to weighing the interests ofurban and suburban communities were key factorsin theendorsement.

"I firmly believe that unless you have a healthy city in terms of employment, providing job opportunities for Hamiltonians and businesses, you cant have the typesof social programs that we need," Di Iannisaid.

"Freds commitment to that, for me, is paramount."

McHattie responds

Mayoral candidateBrian McHattieresponded to the endorsement in a Wednesday news release a made a bid to cast himself as "the guy to deliver new ideas for a new Hamilton."

"I think its time fora newer, fresher approach to leadership in the mayors chair in Hamilton," he said. "Instead of revisiting the past, we need a new mayor for a new Hamilton.

"Weve been missing a boldness of thinking and boldness of action for too many years."